Lambasting the Odisha government over the ongoing construction under the Srimandir Parikrama project, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) National Spokesperson Sambit Patra today said the State government acted like 'Kala Pahada' and destroyed the ancient heritage of Odisha.
Kalapahad is known as the destroyer of temples, especially for his attack on the Jagannath temple. While some believe he had Afghan origins, others say he was a Hindu Brahmin who was converted to Islam after falling in love with the Bengal ruler Suleiman Karnani's daughter Dulaari. Later, he wanted to reconvert, but the priests at Jagannath temple declined, and he took out his fury by attacking the temple.
Drawing similarity with the infamous Muslim invader 'Kala Pahada', Patra alleged, "The State government has destroyed our heritage like Kala Pahada did in the 16th century."
On Patra’s reference of Kala Pahada, senior BJD leader and MLA, Devi Mishra said, “The State government never acted like that and the only purpose of the government is public welfare.”
Elaborating on the joint inspection report submitted by the ASI at the Orissa High Court, the BJP spokesperson further raised questions on the alteration of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) multiple times. He asked, “If the government was sure about the law, why did it change the DPR so many times?”
Patra quoted Advocate General Ashok Parija, who had told the Orissa High Court that the under-construction reception centre inside the prohibited area (100 mtrs) of Srimandir will be shifted to the regulated area (100-200 mtrs), and said, “The State government has flouted the norms while constructing the reception centre under the project, the State counsel’s statement proves.”
Responding to Patra's DPR allegation, senior lawyer and BJD MP Pinaki Mishra said, “Changing DPR is normal in any project. It is changed as per the exigencies at that time... The court has given us time to submit our statement.”
On the other hand, senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra targeted both the State government and the ASI over the dispute. “The Srimandir suffered because of the ego of the State ministers and the negligence of the ASI,” Mohapatra said.
Mohapatra questioned ASI’s silence after its first inspection of the project and asked, “Why did the Central agency keep mum over the issue for a long time? Was it under pressure from somebody? If the work was illegal, why did it not seek a stay order from the court earlier?”
It is pertinent to mention here that the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday revealed excavation and soil removal work during construction under the Srimandir Parikrama Project may have destroyed the archaeological remains of the heritage site.
In a report submitted to the Orissa High Court, the ASI stated that during the joint inspection followed by onsite discussions with Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC) and Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) officials, it was found that the ongoing construction work of the Srimandir Parikrama Project has no valid permission/NOC issued by the competent authorities.
Following the High Court hearing, BJP MLA from Puri, Jayanta Sarangi demanded Prime Minister Modi’s intervention. Speaking to OTV, Sarangi said, “The damage to the heritage site cannot be brought back, neither can it be repaired. It is time now for the State government to work out a plan taking the ASI into confidence and complete the project abiding by the rules. Otherwise, I think the PM should intervene to resolve it.”