Strongly condemning the damage made to the statue of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das at various offices of The Samaja by some miscreants over publication of a picture of Prophet Mohamed, some intellectuals under the banner of Viswa Sambad Kendra (VSK) on Friday held a silent protest here by wearing black badges and demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the heinous act.
“Utkalmani Gopabandhu is the pride of all Odia people. The damage caused to his statues is an attack on the pride of Odisha,” said Viswa Sambad Kendra president Raghunath Pati.
He also demanded immediate release of the arrested sub-editor. “The sub-editor who was arrested should be immediately released. The losses suffered by the newspaper should be assessed and properly compensated,” demanded Pati.