Jitendra K Biswal

Deeply anguished by the outrageous and irresponsible remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Biju Patnaik — a towering freedom fighter, visionary leader, and proud son of the soil of Odisha. Such baseless allegations hurt the sentiments of millions and tarnish the legacy of a leader whose contributions are etched in history. Defaming our historical icons cannot brush away the failures of those in power today. I strongly condemn these statements and urge all public representatives to uphold dignity, truth, and respect in public discourse. #BijuPatnaik #Odisha #RespectOurIcons

#WATCH | Delhi | BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, "...America sent its troops and CIA agents to Tibet, knowing that China would one day take over Tibet. The Dalai Lama and his brother were in constant contact with the US government. Nehru fought the entire 1962 war with China with American money and in collaboration with CIA agents. Biju Patnaik, the then Chief Minister of Odisha, was a link between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru. Even the officials were aware of this. I have released two letters from Nehru today, in which he is telling his officials, especially the US ambassador, to do their job. We have sent Biju Patnaik for a major task, and he is discussing defense matters. Even after losing the China war in 1962, Nehruji didn't find peace. And how did he surrender India's interests?...In 1964, when Nehruji was alive, a nuclear device was installed at Nanda Devi, which still hasn't been found. As a result, the entire Gangetic Terai region is still battling cancer. Secondly, the Charbatia airport in Odisha, where Biju Patnaikji, who was heavily involved, built a large U2 spy plane, a U2 base, and made Charbatia the base for the U2 aircraft. And that aircraft base housed the US military in India from 1963 to 1979. Congress could never have perpetrated a more democratic attack than this in its lifetime. Therefore, Congress should apologise today"

I was too young to understand politics then, but I remember the atmosphere at home. There were strong opinions, clear ideological differences, and names that carried weight in Odisha’s political space. My father, a Congressman and closely associated with leaders like J. B. Patnaik and Kanhu Charan Lenka, often stood on the opposite side of Biju Patnaik’s politics. Yet, despite that, one thing never changed. There was always a certain respect when his name came up. At the same time, my youngest uncle, deeply involved with the Janata Dal, went on to become General Secretary at Ravenshaw College and later President at Utkal University. As a student leader, he was recognised and encouraged by Biju Babu himself, even getting the opportunity to represent and speak at the national level. I did not fully understand the significance of all this back then. But over time, I realised something important. Political disagreements existed, but credibility and intent were not casually questioned. I do not subscribe to any one political ideology, nor do I align myself blindly with any party. But I am an #Odia. And that is why reducing Biju Patnaik today to a simplistic label of being linked as a “CIA Agent” does not stand up to reason. The geopolitical realities of that era were complex, and selective interpretations cannot define the legacy of a leader whose contributions are far wider and deeply rooted in Odisha’s identity. At a time when our youth are still leaving the state for opportunities, returning in distress during crises, and now facing uncertainty again as industries struggle, this is the conversation we should be having. We can debate history, but we should not distort it. And we cannot let it distract us from the realities that demand attention today. #BijuPatnaik #Odisha