BHUBANESWAR: While the demand for state song status to ‘Bande Utkal Janani’ has intensified across Odisha, the controversial statement by a BJD leader and Minister from Western Odisha on the issue has sparked off a fresh row. Talking to the mediapersons here on Tuesday, Minister of State for Energy and Bhatli MLA Sushanta Singh said though ‘Bande Utkal Janani’ is one of the adorable songs of Odisha, some people in Western Odisha, spearheading the Kosala movement, are protesting against it.
“People in most places in Western Odisha have suggested that the song will be acceptable if the word Utkal is replaced with Odisha,” he said and added, “I don’t know what decision the State Government will take on the matter. But it would be better if it considers the sentiments of the people of Western Odisha.” Reacting to the statement of the Minister, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said, “Let the State Government take a call on the issue. Does the Government want what Susanta Singh has proposed? Let the Government make it clear,” he said.