Pradeep Pattanayak

Odisha State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Samir Mohanty on Saturday advised the ruling BJD government to execute the Puri Jagannath Temple heritage corridor project only in accordance with the existing laws. 

Mohanty's statement meanwhile has given an impetus to the Jagannath Mandir Banchao Abhiyan, which is getting stronger by the day on social media platforms. 

“For the sake of the safety of the shrine, the laws should be followed while taking up any developmental activities near the temple. If the people of Odisha and the devotees of Lord Jagannath join the ongoing movement to form a common consent, it will create a pressure on the government,” said Mohanty. 

Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Debiprasad Mishra was quick to give a reply to Mohanty, saying that the saffron party should instead come up with some suggestions, rather than oppose the project. 

“There is nothing wrong in the corridor project because its primary objective is to conserve the Srimandir, attract tourists, give them a better viewing experience and generate earning options for local people,” Mishra said. 

“It will be of no use if they (BJP) are only finding faults with us. They should instead suggest measures on how to seamlessly execute the initiative,” Mishra added. 

The movement to conserve the Srimandir, the 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath in Puri, has received massive outpouring of support from people of all sections of society following the heritage corridor row. 
 

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