No obscene dances or you will face 'lathi': Odisha BJP MLA warns 'jatra' shows
Bhubaneswar (PTI): A ruling BJP MLA in Odisha has warned 'Jatra' groups that action would be taken against them if they perform any obscene dance at the upcoming Khandagiri Mahotsav and Kharavela Mela in Bhubaneswar.
The annual Khandagiri Mahotsav and Kharavela Mela begins at Khandagiri Hills on 'Magha Saptami' every year where 'Jatra' groups from different parts of the state perform. This time around 13 'Jatra' groups will perform at the mahotsav which will begin from Wednesday.
BJP MLA from Ekamra-Bhubaneswar Babu Singh and around 100 people including women on Monday took a pledge before Goddess Barabhuja (Maa Durga) at the Khandagiri hills in the city to protest any kind of obscene dance during Jatra shows at the mela.
Singh said initially 100 people including women have taken the pledge to oppose obscene performance by certain jatra groups. "If required, we will use lathi against persons performing obscene dance in jatra shows," he told reporters.
"We are determined to protect our culture and Odia heritage. Khandagiri Kumbh Mela and Kharawela Mahotsav will be celebrated with great pomp this year. Today, we took a resolution to protect our culture by offering prayers to Maa Barabhuja," the lawmaker said, adding that they have launched a special drive against obscene and vulgar performances in public places.
The BJP MLA appealed to jatra groups and artists to refrain from obscene performances or else 'thengas' (lathi) will be used against them.
The activists armed with long wooden sticks will camp at Khandagiri and keep a close vigil on jatra groups and take action against the organisers and artists if they resort to any vulgarity, he said.
Asked whether he is not taking the law into his own hands, Singh said: "First I am an Odia and then an MLA. I will fight for the protection of my great Odia culture. The people who will indulge in unsocial activities will be punished."
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a strict warning and advised the organisers to conduct jatras and plays without hurting the public sentiments.
"There is no place of obscenity or vulgarity in public," said BMC commissioner Rajesh P Patil.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
