Hanuman Jayanti violence : BJP forms 4-member committee to probe violence in Odisha

A four-person committee has been sent by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda to investigate the violent occurrences that occurred in Odisha during the celebrations of Hanuman Jayanti this year.

This fact-finding team will be led by BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP, Brij Lal who’s been the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh. Alongside Brij Lal, three other MPs including Samir Oraon and Aditya Sahu, both Rajya Sabha MPs from Jharkhand and Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, MP from West Bengal’s Purulia, will be a part of the team.

This delegation will conduct ground visits, interact with the locals and assess the possible reason which led to the violence and then submit a detailed report to the party’s National president.

Sambalpur had witnessed clashes between two communities on April 12 during a bike rally organised as part of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Several police personnel were injured and one tribal was killed during these clashes.

After the violence, the state government issued prohibitory orders and took down the internet services for 48 hours till April 15. “Motorcycle procession undertaken by Hanuman Jayanti Samanyoya Samiti members, Bajrang Dal workers etc on April 12, 2023, at about 6 pm, there were clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Sambalpur town,” the order by the home department of the State said.