Derogatory statement against Lord Jagannath: Servitors seek stringent action against rationalists

Servitors of Puri Lord Jagannath Temple under the banner of Odisha Temple Servitors’ Association and Brahmin Samaj on Monday staged a protest outside the Singhadwar seeking action against self-proclaimed rationalists for making anti-Brahmin statements.

 The agitators filed a complaint with Singhadwar police condemning the consumption of chicken biriyani during the recent lunar and solar eclipses and also hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus by making derogatory remarks against Lord Jagannath.

The servitors submitted a memorandum addressing to Srimandir Chief Administrator.

President of the outfit Kameswar Tripathy said, “The so-called rationalists don’t have any rights to make derogatory remarks against the Lord Jaganath. They also made comments on Ramayan’s characters Lord Rama, Lakhman and Goddess Sita. They did not spare Jagadguru Adi Shankara too. We just cannot tolerate such acts."

Another servitor said, “We had filed a complaint at Singhadwar police station around 11.30pm a few days back after watching a video in which a rationalist was heard saying that ‘open the door of the temple and I will serve chicken biriyani to Lord Jagannath’. His statement made many servitors cry. Though we had filed a complaint in this regard, but police are yet to take action against such rationalists.”

“Lord Jagannath is symbol of Hindu religion. He is the symbol of unity and integrity. Whatever we are today, it is because of Lord Jagannath. Such statement of the so-called rationalists has really hurt servitors at large.  Thus, we would like to demand the state government that it should come up with certain policy so that none would dare to make such statement against Lord Jagannath,” rued a priest.

“Lord Jagannath is heartbeat of every Odia. Insulting Lord Jagannath is the insult of whole Odia religion. Police should arrest such people without delay. Like terrorists are hazardous for our country, the so-called rationalists are hazardous for Sanatan religion”, maintained an irate servitors.

Another protestor said, “We had earlier filed complaints in police stations across the state. However, the state government has not taken our complaints seriously. We would like to request the state government take stringent action against them so that they won’t dare to disrespect Lord Jagannath.” 

  Earlier on Saturday, Chhatisa Nijog shot off a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging him to take action against the so-called rationalists.