Bhubaneswar: A disturbing incident sparked tensions in the Bolangir district of Odisha, the statue of former chief minister Biju Patnaik caught fire on Tuesday morning in Biju Square in Brahmapura Block in Patnagarh police range.
Local police detained a man who was described as “mentally uneasy” in connection with the incident. Although authorities have not yet determined the motivation behind the bill, the situation has caused uneasiness among local residents.
Witnesses reported that the first notice of the flames at dawn prompted local police to respond immediately. The officers arrived quickly and managed to put out the fire, which had consumed a piece of polyethylene paper covering the statue.
“The statue was partially damaged in the fire. A person believed to have seen a mental instability near the scene and has been detained. Police acted quickly and controlled the fire,” said Raja Khamari, a local resident who witnessed the incident.
The statue stands at the junction of formerly known as Parshuram Square and is named after the honorable Hindu saints. The site was renamed Biju Square by the former MLA of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a move that sparked controversy earlier, especially among members of the Brahmin community who believe the change does not respect its religious heritage.
Although there has been no official link between the renaming controversy and Tuesday’s vandalism, local police are investigating all angles.
“We have detained a person and are currently verifying his psychological condition and possible motivations. The investigation is underway,” a senior police official said.
The towering politician in Odisha, the father of current Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the late Biju Patnaik remains a pride for many in the state. His statues and memorials are located in Odisha and are often the focus of local political identity.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm to reveal the full picture behind the incident.
