New Delhi: In a major setback for journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed his bail plea for his alleged derogatory remarks about Odisha and the Sun Temple in Konark.
“Your (journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra) comments incite religious feelings. How are you entitled for bail?,” said the three judge bench of the Supreme Court while dismissing his petition for bail. The bench was headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
The apex court commented that the best place where he will be safe is jail.
Odisha Police had arrested Abhijit Iyer from Nizamuddin area on September 20 after videos showing his derogatory remarks on Konark Sun Temple and Lord Jagannath surfaced on internet causing widespread resentment among Odias. He was granted interim bail by Saket Court on the same day which disallowed Odisha Police to take him on remand.
Later, his interim relief was extended by the apex court till October 5. Besides, the court also ordered the Odisha Police to make necessary security arrangement for Abhijit’s appearance in Orissa High Court, if he wants so.
Abhijit Iyer Mitra, a close friend of former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, had made derogatory remarks on the people of Odisha by calling them ‘purchased presstitutes’ and ‘paid outragers.’
Earlier, he had said, “Odisha was discovered by Bengali explorers, who called it “OriShala!!! And it was named Orissa”.
He also raised question over the famous Puri Jagannath temple. He wrote that Jagannath temple was built by the Gangas, who were disgraced Pallava Tamil retainers. “…no such thing as Orissa, just the wild southern provinces of undivided Bengal,” Mitra had tweeted.
This apart, the scribe had posted a video on his twitter handle making derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple in Konark while being present at the spot.
Also Read: SC Postpones Hearing In Abhijit Iyer Anti-Sun Temple Remark Case
Ms Kalinga