The controversy over BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy’s letter to Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Odia took an interesting turn on Tuesday with Tomar and Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar taking potshots at Satpathy and even dragging Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik into the row.
Javadekar, who arrived here to attend the BJP State executive meeting, took the dig at Satpathy, remarking, “I have respect for the Odia language. It could have been better if he writes in Odia to his Chief Minister, who is unable to speak his State’s language even after 17 years of rule.”
Tomar, who also arrived here for his party’s State executive meeting, reacted to Satpathy’s letter in a similar manner.
“I had not expected such reaction from my friend Tathagata. I could have immediately acted on his letter with the help of an Odia friend. I thank him for making me aware, but he should teach Odia to his CM (Chief Minister) first,” he told reporters.
However, Satpathy in his reaction, said because it is Odisha they are getting away with such remarks. In other places, the reaction would have been different, he added.
The row had started after Tomar sent a letter to Satpathy in Hindi inviting him for a programme. In his reaction, the MP said even though he can speak Hindi, he cannot read it. Tomar should have written to him in English or Odia. He also alleged that BJP Ministers are trying to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking regions.