Bhubaneswar, May 18: National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairperson P.L. Punia asked chief minister Naveen Patnaik to initiate action against health and family welfare minister Damodar Rout, who continued to make anti-Dalit remarks.

The commission stated that it had been receiving complaints against Rout for making derogatory remarks against the SC communities.

The commission cited the case of state president of the National Confederation of Dalit Organisation Ashok Kumar Mallick, who had alleged that Rout had humiliated the SC community by mentioning names of castes at a public meeting. Later, a case was registered against him.

Punia said it was surprising that Rout was granted bail in the first case on the condition that he would not commit this offence again, but he openly defied it. “It will be pertinent to mention that Rout holds the responsible post of a minister and as such this kind of behaviour is unbecoming of a minister. He has been elected by people to mitigate their sufferings, but it is unfortunate that he instead makes utterances, which hurt the sentiments of people. I hope you will personally took into this matter and take appropriate action,” Punia said.

Punia also summoned chief secretary B.K. Patnaik and director-general of police Prakash Mishra at the commission’s office in New Delhi along with all relevant papers and action taken report to facilitate the discussion.

Rout said: “As the matter is sub-judice, I will not make any comments.”