Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised Biju Patnaik, describing him as a symbol of strength, courage and unwavering commitment to nation-building.

Modi’s praise comes amid controversy sparked by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s comments. Dubey made disparaging remarks against Biju Patnaik, father of five-time chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik.

Greeting the people of the state on Utkal Divas, the state’s foundation day, Modi, in his letter to Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, said how Biju Patnaik had inspired generations. “This is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik, whose life epitomises strength, courage and unwavering commitment to nation-building. Biju Babu’s multifaceted persona inspires us all,” Modi said.

Political observers feel that by sending the message, Modi has made it clear that neither the government nor the party stands with Nishikant Dubey, regarding whom Naveen had commented: “Dubey needs a mental doctor.” Naveen made this statement after Dubey tried to project Biju Patnaik as a CIA (Central Intelligence Agency, the US foreign intelligence service) agent during the India-China war in 1962. The state also witnessed unprecedented protests. Leaders across party lines maintained that it was an insult not only to Biju Babu but to 4.5 crore Odias.

As the issue deepened into a major controversy over the insult to the iconic Odia leader — the aviator who flew a Dakota plane to Indonesia in 1947 to rescue its leaders, the then Indonesian vice president Mohammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir, bringing them safely to India — and a symbol of regional pride, the BJP government distanced itself from Dubey. Even the Odisha Assembly was adjourned sine die on Tuesday night as the embarrassed BJP government found it tough to handle the situation.

In his message on the state’s foundation day, the Prime Minister also pointed out how Odia people have been making rich contributions to the nation across several fields. “They have made a mark in trade and commerce; there are many outstanding academics and researchers, sportspersons, artists and more,” he said.

Modi also paid tributes to many towering personalities and freedom fighters and remembered the valour of those, including Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo,
Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Harekrushna Mahtab, Malati Choudhury, Sarala Devi, Pramila Giri and others.

Knowing that people of Odisha have been aggrieved over Dubey’s remark, Modi recalled how he had been interacting with the people of Odisha for a very long time. “When I was the chief minister of Gujarat, I used to frequently interact with Odia people in various programmes. Whenever I would meet them, I would always notice the pride they have
towards their roots. In fact, I would always point out the similarities between Gujarat and Odisha… both states have iconic sun temples (in Konark and Modhera) and are associated with the grand Rath Yatras. In fact, the chief minister of Gujarat has to perform Pahind Vidhi (Pahandi Vidhi) at the start of the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. It was always a very special experience to do so,” Modi said.

On this occasion, Modi also acknowledged Odisha’s rich civilisation and development trajectory and praised the Mohan Charan Majhi government for its efforts in strengthening Odia Asmita (Odia pride) and preserving the Odia language, culture and heritage.

After Modi’s praise for Biju Patnaik, Nishikant Dubey tendered a conditional apology for his remarks against the late leader, saying his comments had been misinterpreted and that an
incorrect interpretation was drawn from his remarks regarding the Nehru-Gandhi family, specifically in reference to Biju Babu.

Terming Biju Babu as one of the leading leaders of India, Dubey said: “My thoughts on Nehru Ji were misconstrued as being about Biju Babu. Biju Babu has always been and will remain a towering
statesman for us. If my statement has hurt anyone’s sentiments, I unconditionally apologise.”