Delhi: Journalist Abhijit Iyer detained for making derogatory remarks on Odisha's Konark Sun Temple

The action came at a time when a privilege motion was moved against him in Odisha Assembly today demanding action against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The Assembly Speaker had approved proposal to form house committee led by leader of opposition to investigate matter.

Picture taken from the controversial video posted on Twitter by an Odisha-based user.

New Delhi: Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was detained today in the national capital by a team of Odisha Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. “Abhijit Iyer has been taken to Nizamuddin police station.He has been told that a case has been registered against him in Odisha. He hasn't been told what the case is or who has registered it. He hasn't been given a copy of the FIR,” the journalist’s Counsel told news agency ANI. The action came at a time when a privilege motion was moved against him in Odisha Assembly today demanding action against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The Assembly Speaker had approved proposal to form house committee led by leader of opposition to investigate matter. Rankled by his derogatory remarks, shot on a mobile phone inside Konark temple, legislators of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and opposition Congress had demanding action against the journalist in the state assembly. Reports say Mitra is a friend of former BJD parliamentarian Baijayant Panda whose chopper was seized earlier this week for flying over Chilika Lake. The industrialist-turned-politician who had quit the ruling BJD in May following his suspension for "anti-party activities", received support from the journalist on Twitter after the incident. According to a regional news website, Panda, too condemned Mitra's remarks saying "one should be sensitive about our religious places, heritage, tradition and history." Soon after his detention, micro blogging platform Twitter, saw the hashtag #IStandWithAbhijit trending on top in support of the journalist.