The Utkal Sammilani has said that the glory of the Bharat Ratna would have been heightened if legendary Biju Patnaik had been conferred with this highest civilian award this year.
Sammilani Mancheswar branch president Dillip Dashsharma in a statement said that Bijubabu was a great freedom fighter and an international-level leader. For his act of bravery in Indonesia and Russia, he was awarded as 'Bhoomi Putra', the highest Indonesian award, and Russian award, he added.
He also said that Bijubabu was the first Indian to get two national awards of two countries. The Bharat Ratna selectors committed an injustice for not selecting Bijubabu for the highest award, Dashsharma added.