Dalits in Orissa demand minister''s dismissal, arrest

Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 (PTI) Orissa Dalit Mahasabha today demanded immediate dismissal and arrest of a senior minister accused of passing derogatory remarks against some people belonging to the scheduled caste community.
Five dalit organisations held a rally here under the banner of Orissa Dalit Mahasabha where leaders cutting across partylines demanded Damodar Rout''s resignation and arrest.
Rout, who is also vice-president of the ruling BJD, had at a public meeting in Kujang of Jagatsinghpur district on August 18, allegedly made derogatory remarks against the local MLA, MP and an officer taking the name of their caste.
A complaint was also registered against Rout at Kujang police station on charge of violating rules under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Attrocities) Act, 1989.