The Odisha Congress unit on Monday showed its strength by holding a mega convention in Puri over several issues pertaining to Lord Jagannath’s Ratna Bhandar, the opening of all gates of the temple and other issues. Congress activists from across the state congregated in Puri and a rally was taken out from Gundicha temple to Srimandir temple office today.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President, Sarat Pattanayak said, “It is due to the Lord’s blessing that we have reached Puri with the demands of the scores of its devotees. It is shameful that the state government is not opening all the four gates of Srimandir.”
Pattanayak said that if the Odisha government doesn’t fulfil the demands before the Kartik month, the party will intensify the agitation across the state. The party has given a deadline of October 28 and submitted a memorandum addressed to Odisha Governor to Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Ranjan Das.
“As Covid pandemic situation no longer persists, what is the problem in opening all gates of Srimandir,” Pattanayak asked.
Bijay Patnaik, said, “The Congress is demanding the reopening of all gates of Puri Srimandir which is also the demand of scores of people and devotees. However, keeping the gates closed for some vested interest contractors is condemnable.”
Another senior Congress leader said that the people of the state have also been demanding repair of Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of Lord Jagannath.
Senior Congress leader, Prasad Harichandan said, “The Odisha government has created wall between the devotees and the Lord. We warn the state government to open all gates of Srimandir for the devotees.”
“Apart from repair of the Ratna Bhandar, the state government should immediately conduct a detailed inventory of the gold and other ornaments of the Lord and inform the people whether all the valuables are safe or not,” Harichandan said.
In another development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also targeted the state government over the issue.
“The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in August had submitted to the Orissa High Court and Odisha government for reopening of Ratna Bhandar. But now the Committee is now more concerned about dress code and is not taking any step for reopening of the Ratna Bhandar. We will soon meet Puri Gajapati Maharaj on the matter as he has been telling for reopening of the Ratna Bhandar and preparing an inventory,” said former state BJP President, Samir Mohanty.
Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Ranjan Das said, " The Congress delegation has submitted a memorandum and we will forward this to the Odisha government and speed up the works which can be done at our level."
BJD MLA, Amar Satpathy said, "Odisha government will do as per Court's direction. There has been delay for Parikrama Project and Congress has no other issue. They are only surviving on doing press conferences only."