Justice Katju tenders apology for his remarks on Odias
14 October, Bhubaneswar
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju Friday tendered apology for his remarks on Odias posted in face book yesterday.
The apology from the former Supreme Court judge came in the wake of large scale protest from the political parties in the state and people from all walks of life who demanded criminal proceedings against him for posting derogatory and disparaging remark on the people of Odisha and an unconditional apology to the Odia people.
In his face book posting, Justice Katju said, “I am begging apology if sentiments of the people are hurt.
He said, “People have got a wrong impression with the Face book post, which was just a joke.”
The former Supreme court judge said, “I have lots of respect to the people of Odisha. In fact, Dr K M Katju, my grandfather, was Governor of Odisha. I have also respect to Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his father late Biju Patnaik. I have been to the State many times and have seen Konark temple, Lingaraj Temple and Puri Temple.”
He further said, “Why there is so much talks of sentiment is hurt and all that? This is only childish and nothing else. Undoubtedly Odias have achieved a lot and I am praising them.”
“I would not visit Odisha unless and until I am not invited with due respect. I am happy staying at my home.”
“I give my best wishes to people of Odisha,” he concluded.
On my last FB post I apologised to Odias if I had hurt anyone’s feelings, though my earlier post had been in lighter vein, which indeed I had clarified at the end of the post.
However, a large number of comments were made on the post containing my apology by several Odias which were so horribly abusive ( I have deleted most of them though they are still pouring in ) that I have decided to never go to Odisha in my life.
“I hope after this apology people of Odisha will be large hearted enough to let me enter the state, and indeed will invite me”,he remarked.
In his face book post yesterday, Justice Katju said, “I was asked to write about the Oriyas (Odias). 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 Jagannath to whom they pray every day for revenge on the abominable Biharis”.