Sarkari Babus seemed unconcerned about promoting superstition and breaching standard official code when they allowed a magic show inside the Sub-Collector office premises at Jharsuguda and, that too, in the peak office hours of 12 noon.
Sub-Collector Barendra Nath Dhal along with his subordinate staff hesitated little to lounge on chairs to enjoy an hour-long show by one Irphan from Raipur in the clerical section of the Sub-Collectorate.
While the entire State is debating the ill-impact of superstition and magic in the context of Sarathi Baba expose, the magic show in the Sub-Collector office amounted to a sort of promoting the art, opined many intellectuals here. Besides, it has baffled many as to how during working hour the Sub Collector could give consent for the magic show.
On being asked about the propriety of allowing such a show in the office during working hours, the Sub Collector parried the question. Collector B Parameswaran also chose not to react. However, intellectuals and lawyers dubbed it as a step towards unwittingly promoting superstitions and breaching of standard official code.
Senior lawyers Deepak Patel and Purnanand Tiwari said the magic show was an endorsement of superstitions and sign of carelessness by the district administration. Hence, action should be taken against the guilty, they demanded.