What made you conclude that the Kalinga war is a figment of imagination? What is the basis of your argument?
We should have a logical mind to reach a conclusion on any issue. The Kalinga war is a myth, a figment of imagination of some historians who want to make Asoka one of the greatest kings of that era. To make someone great, one needs a big background. I have no dispute about the greatness of Asoka as an emperor, but I have doubts about his invasion. Since Justice Markandey Katju made adverse remarks about Odias, I have vigorously raised the issue.
You have disputed it without any historical document to support your claim.
If one lakh soldiers were killed in the war, one lakh injured and more than 1.5 lakh imprisoned, then the Kalinga army must have had a strength of more than eight lakh. If you take that, the strength of the army would have been one third of Kalinga's population. It looks strange. Besides, there must have been a powerful king. There are some historians who argue that Kalinga was a kind of federation at that time and no one king ruled. If that is so, who was the prime minister of that federation or who was the leader. These questions need to be answered.
The number of deaths and imprisoned soldiers might have been exaggerated. But the Kalinga war had happened and we have the 13th rock edict which tells about how Asoka turned into a pious person following the war.
I want to know who the king was. Asoka has written everything, including how many were killed and how many imprisoned. If the war had happened, he would certainly have written who had led the war. The edicts were written on the instructions of Asoka and his pupils to make him great. It was James Prinsep who had talked about the Kalinga war in the 1830s. Prior to that, in the past 2000 years, many historians, including Persians, Greeks and Chinese came to India but no one wrote about it.
But how did one of the edicts came up at Dhauli. The land must have been conquered, otherwise how could an alien force come and set up a huge edict here that would remain for centuries...
The edicts in Daulhi are silent on the war. It is yet to be established when it was installed and who installed it. Many edicts were placed in different parts of the country for the propagation of Budhhism, but that does not mean that all those lands were conquered by Asoka. I have no dispute about the greatness of Asoka, but I doubt his invasion of Kalinga.
The BJP raised the Taj Mahal controversy in Uttar Pradesh and said there was a Shiv temple there and suddenly you are raising the Kalinga war issue.
Let me clarify that I am raising the issue as an individual and an Odia. I feel ashamed when I see that Odias are being treated over the centuries as a nation who were defeated by Asoka and we gladly accept it. I cannot do it. Odia historians are also silent. On the issue of the Taj Mahal, it was the opinion of an individual and not that of the BJP. For me, it's still a wonderful work of architecture we should be proud of.
The Centre has agreed to accord the status of first war of independence on the Paika rebellion. But there have also been voices from Kerala which say they waged such a war before paikas.
There were many unorganised fights on a particular issue against the British. But the Paika mutiny was a people's war. It was a sustained war and continued for nearly eight years. It had its unique characters. Thanks to the government of India for giving it the recognition. At the same time, I recall the contribution of Harekhrushna Mahatab, Rabi Ray, Biju Patnaik and Radhanath Rath. It is my endeavour to give the Paika mutiny its due.
Coming back to your political career, what are you doing at present? It seems that the old guards have been sidelined by young Turks in the party.
That's wrong. I am part of the party's highest decision making body. I regularly attend meetings and give my feedback. As the younger generation has time and energy, they give more time. We should give them space to take the party forward.
Do you believe that Amit Shah's mission of winning 120 plus seats would be a reality in Odisha?
Why not? He has been successful in UP. He is a great strategist and must have reached the figure by assessing ground realities. On the other hand, when the wind starts blowing in favour of the BJP, no one will be able to stop it. Just wait.
