A move for installing a statue of former MLA late Bishnu Das next to Pandit Gopabandhu Das statue in Jagannathpur Bazar near the Raghunathpur block headquarters has fuelled a row for last one week.
Political parties except BJD, social organisations, civil society forums and five Bazar committees functioning in Raghunathpur town have opposed the bid. Congress leader Himansu Mallick who had first raised the issue resorted to a hunger strike in front of Gopabandhu statue demanding that the plan be rejected.
Further, the Nabanirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has launched a dharana at the spot for last four days raising the same demand. Bazar committees of Raghunathpur block on Thursday met the district Collector and demanded shifting of Bishnu’s proposed statue from Gopabandhu idol at Raghunathpur.
“Since we got no response on our demand, we have decided to launch agitation in coming days,” said the traders committees’ leaders.
However, under mounting pressure from several quarters, the administration in a damage control exercise has started erecting a wall around the Gopabandhu statue in presence of police and an Executive Magistrate.
Notably, the protestors to the proposed statue installation are arguing that Bishnu Das is no match for as great a leader as Gopabandhu and if Bishnu’s statue is erected near Gopabandhu’s, it would be an utter disrespect to the Utkalmani.