The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday demanded an apology from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over his purported remarks on the skin complexion of tribal women, which have sparked controversy.

A video clip of Majhi’s statement has gone viral on social media, drawing criticism. In the footage, the Chief Minister, who himself hails from the tribal community in Keonjhar district, is heard saying, “I always wanted to marry a fair girl. But tribal girls are not fair. So, in search of a fair girl, I got linked to Mayurbhanj district as I married a girl from there.”

The statement, made during the ‘Mayurbhanj Utsav’ event on Sunday, has been widely condemned, with BJD leaders accusing the CM of making insensitive and inappropriate comments about tribal women. The opposition party has demanded a public apology from Majhi, calling his words disrespectful and unacceptable.

Senior BJD leaders stated that such remarks undermine the dignity of tribal women and reflect a regressive mindset. They urged the Chief Minister to clarify his stance and apologize for the comment.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office has not yet issued an official response to the controversy. However, the remarks have triggered a debate, with social activists and tribal groups also expressing their discontent. The issue is expected to gain political traction in the coming days.