Annoyed over visuals of Odisha's Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik touching the feet of Daitapati priests in uniform, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today "warned" the top cop not to repeat the action in future.
Visuals of Marik were shown in different TV channels while touching feet of Daitapatis during collection of sacred Daru (neem trees) for Lord Jagannath's 'Nabakalebara' festival.
As Marik visited the CM's office this evening, Patnaik warned the 1981 batch senior IPS officer to maintain dignity of the post he was holding, the source in CM's office said.
"Marik's public conduct in Khaki is not acceptable. Chief Minister has expressed his displeasure over the matter," said Minister Damodar Rout.
The CM also warned the DGP not to tolerate any indiscipline during the Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath scheduled to be held on July 18, the CM's office source said.
The visuals in the television channels showed Marik in uniform with cap on his head touching feet of Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, President of Daitapati Nijog (union), Lord Jagannath's body Protector or Badagrahi Jagannath Dasmohapatra and 'Biswabasu' of Nabekalebara festival Binayk Dasmohapatra.
This apart, tv channels also showed Marik in plain cloth touching feet of priests in full public view.
Though the incident took place over a month ago, Patnaik, who was quiet so far, chose to express his displeasure now only after opposition Congress, BJP and other outfits made it an issue.
"Not only the ministers encouraged Daitapati priests' works several times in the past, but also the DGP touched their feet," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan said.
As the DGP was falling at the feet of Daitapati priests, they got emboldened to deviate from secret rituals of the Lords, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra alleged.
Marik, however, could not be contacted on his mobile phone.
Former DGP Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, Bipin Bihari Mishra and S N Tiwary also disapproved of Marik's act of touching priests feet while being in uniform.
