Political pundit Abhijit Iyer-Mitra detained in Delhi for ‘hurting’ Odia sentiments

On Thursday, commentator and journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was detained in New Delhi over his supposedly derogatory remarks about the state of Odisha and the Sun Temple. He has been reportedly detained under Section 295A.

His lawyer told ANI that he had been taken to Nizamuddin Police Station. He has been told that a case has been registered against him in Odisha. A privilege motion has been moved against Abhijit Iyer Mitra in Odisha Assembly today demanding action against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Assembly Speaker has approved proposal to form house committee led by leader of opposition to investigate the matter.

His lawyer told ANI: “Abhijit Iyer has been taken to Nizamuddin police station.He has been told that a case has been registered against him in Odisha. He hasn't been told what the case is or who has registered it. He hasn't been given a copy of the FIR. He's being taken to Saket court for remand. We're going there to oppose it. We haven't even been given a copy of the FIR, so we can't say what the offences are, who the complainant is or under what sections case has been registered.”

Iyer is also well-known on micro-blogging perform Twitter and several Twitterati spoke out in support and condemned his detainment.

Iyer's micro-blogging profile claims he is ‘so right wing that he makes Genghis Khan look like an HR activist’. @Iyervall is a well-known Twitter commentator and often picks fights with Twitterari across the spectrum. Several Twitter users came out in support of Iyer-Mitra, tweeting with the hash tag #IStandWithAbhijit. 

Historian Ram Chandra Guha tweeted: "This is appalling. The archaic colonial laws that allow such arrests must be struck down. The Odisha Government must rise above such pettiness. The right to offend is fundamental to democracy. "

This is appalling. The archaic colonial laws that allow such arrests must be struck down. The Odisha Government must rise above such pettiness. The right to offend is fundamental to democracy. https://t.co/SjsDPWZ4VM

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) September 20, 2018

This is terrible news. @Iyervval has been detained ??? Really !!!! For what ? For satire? Are we a police state ? #IStandWithAbhijit

— Samir Saran (@samirsaran) September 20, 2018

If you opposed Kamlesh Tiwari's arrest but support Abhijit Mitra's arrest,you're a hypocrite.
If you ranted over Hussain but stay silent over Abhijit Mitra's arrest,you're a hypocrite.
One nation. One set of standards for all.#IStandWithAbhijit

— Smita Barooah (@smitabarooah) September 20, 2018

This is terrible news. @Iyervval has been detained ??? Really !!!! For what ? For satire? Are we a police state ? #IStandWithAbhijit

— Samir Saran (@samirsaran) September 20, 2018

Time to write #IStandWithAbhijit@Iyervval

— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) September 20, 2018

UPDATE: Just talked with @Iyervval's lawyer, friend @TweetinderKaul. He is at the courts awaiting Abhijit. Will be applying for bail.

Odisha Police is INSISTING on remand - they want to take him to Odisha. FOR WHAT? This is plain harassment of a citizen on political pressure.

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) September 20, 2018

It is terrifying and unacceptable that an individual can be detained by state police for saying something “offensive”. Stay safe and strong @Iyervval, many, many people are supporting you. https://t.co/0QAc47esvf

— Rajeev Mantri (@RMantri) September 20, 2018

Odisha 9: my special message to you from the Konark temple expressing my utter disgust at this monumental conspiracy against the Hindu Civilisation pic.twitter.com/wJeqZPHRDk

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) September 16, 2018

According to his profile on ORF: “Iyer is senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. He used to coordinate the National Security Programme at ORF. Abhijit has been a visiting fellow at Sandia National laboratories, Albuquerque, and the Stimson centre in Washington DC. Abhijit is a defence economist by training. He has written for national and international dailies and has several academic publications and books.”

Iyer’s statements were discussed in Odisha State assembly with ruling party members Samir Ranjan Dash and Byamokesh Ray raked up the issue related to the alleged derogatory statement Abhijit Iyer-Mitra on the Sun Temple at Konark and Lord Jagannath.

Legislators of ruling BJD and opposition Congress had demanded action against Abhijit Iyer Mitra for making ‘derogatory remarks on the Sun Temple in Konark.

The ruling party members staged a dharna in the well of the House and later near Mahatma Gandhi statue on the assembly premises.

In a video uploaded on social media, Mitra is seen criticising the 13th Century temple.

Stating that Mitra has ridiculed the Sun Temple, BJD MLA Sanjay Dasburma had aid, "It (Mitra's video) is an insult to the state and its existence. Action should be taken against the man (Mitra)." Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century monument built by King Narasimhadeva I. It is renowned for intricate artwork on the walls.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, "There are two video clips which show a non-Odia, RSS man standing in front of Konark Temple making comments." The Congress leader said, "It hurts the sentiments of Odisha irrespective of party and religion. He says the art and sculpture are contrary to Hindu culture. This is unwarranted and condemnable." "Mitra should be prosecuted. Contents in the video are enough evidence to prosecute him under the law," Mishra said.

As per information available at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Mitra flew in along with Panda in a chopper on September 15.

BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo said, "He (Mitra) is not a BJP man. RSS has nothing to do with the proposed Ram Temple at Ayodhya. It is also not in BJP's agenda. Let us not do politics over it." Speaking on BJD's protest against Mitra's remarks, Singhdeo alleged that it was a diversionary tactic of the ruling party to avoid the alleged cooperative bank scam being raised by the BJP and opposition parties.

Apart from his video on Sun Temple, Mitra also uploaded videos of himself flying around the Sun Temple and the Jagannath Temple in Puri on social media.

With inputs from PTI