Cuttack, June 3: Controversy surfaced over the descendant of freedom fighter Rendo Majhi, who was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Bhubaneswar during his visit to the state in April.

A law organisation, Committee for Legal Aid to Poor Legal Services Institute, has alleged that the real descendant of Majhi has not been honoured and demanded formation of a high-powered committee to inquire into and officially declare the legal heir of the freedom fighter.

Freedom fighter Rendo Majhi had led the Kandha rebellion against the British in 1853. The British imprisoned and later hanged him in 1855. At a special function, Modi had felicitated family members of 16 freedom fighters at Raj Bhavan on April 16.

"We have made the demand through a representation to the collector and the district magistrate of Kalahandi after one Duguli Majhi approached us for legal action. He alleged that Yogeswar Majhi, who received the honour from the Prime Minister, was an imposter and had impersonated himself as the legal heir of Rendo Majhi," president of CLAP's Legal Services Institute Bikash Das said.

Duguli Majhi has produced several evidence in support of his claim.