Markandey Katju takes dig at Oriyas, says sorry after row

Leaders of the ruling BJD and opposition Congress and BJP roundly condemned former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju’s “derogatory” remarks targeting people of Orissa in a Facebook post for which he has since apologised.

“I was asked to write about the Oriyas. What is there to write about these poor chaps Ever since they got a thrashing at the hands of Ashoka in the battle of Kalinga they have been a dejected lot. Now all they have with them are a lot of pots (patras), big pots (mahapatras ), and supposedly intelligent kings (Patnaiks). And of course they have Lord Jaggannath, to whom they pray every day for revenge on the abominable Biharis,” he had posted on October 10.

Senior BJP leader B.B. Harichandan, BJD leader and state industry minister Debi Prasad Mishra, agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy and Congress leader Suresh Routray were among those who condemned the remark, questioning whether the former SC was “mentally sound”.

A police complaint has also been filed by Kalinga Sena against Mr Katju for “hurting sentiments of Oriyas”.

Mr Katju apologised on Friday evening, saying his remark was “just a joke”. “I had written my post in lighter vein. I apologize if anyone’s feelings have been hurt.”