Complaint filed for excluding Madhusudan Das from Odia Pakhya celebrations

Cuttack: Madhusudan Culture Association, along with the residents of Satyabhamapur village, filed a complaint with the district collector and the culture department on Monday, condemning the state govt’s decision to exclude Madhusudan Das from official posters released for the ongoing Odia Pakhya celebrations, calling it a ‘grave insult’ to Odia Asmita.The stage govt is celebrating Odia Pakhya from Odisha Day (April 1) to the Odia New Year (Maha Vishuba Sankranti on April 14). The association alleged that ignoring Madhusudan Das — regarded as the architect of modern Odisha — reflects a serious lapse by the govt during a festival meant to honour the state’s heritage. Villagers from Satyabhamapur, the birthplace of the leader, also voiced strong resentment.Despite repeated attempts, culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj remained unavailable for a comment.