Digha Jagannath temple row: Puri Srimandir servitor Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra grilled for around 1.5 hours

Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra, the secretary of Puri Srimandir Daitapati Nijog, was quizzed on Sunday for nearly one and a half hours in connection with the controversy surrounding the use of Daru (sacred log) for the construction of deities in Digha Jagannath temple.

Also Read: Digha Jagannath temple row: Fresh complaint filed against Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra

According to sources, the Srimandir Administration questioned the outfit secretary at the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office over the matter. Along with Ramkrushna, the president of Daitapati Nijog Ganesh Das Mahapatra was also interrogated regarding the controversy. The questioning was led by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, and the temple’s Niti Administrator Jitendra Kumar Sahoo was also present during the session.

No comments were received from the SJTA Chief Administrator in this regard.

After the prolonged interrogation, Ramkrushna exited the premises but avoided making any comments to the media. He seemed tight-lipped and did not divulge anything.

Lord Jagannath's Badagrahi says this

Worth mentioning, a growing controversy surrounding the naming of newly-built Jagannath temple in West Bengal’s Digha drew sharp criticism earlier in the day from Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, the Badagrahi (chief servitor) of Lord Jagannath in Puri. He publicly stated that to refer Digha’s temple as ‘Jagannath Dham’ is inappropriate and misleading.

Controversy continues to deepen over the newly-constructed Vaishnavite temple in Digha with the sacred wood linked to Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, with a fresh legal complaint being lodged against the senior Daitapati Sevayat Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra.

Must Read: Digha temple should not be called 'Jagannath Dham': Puri chief servitor speaks up on West Bengal’s claims

The FIR has been filed by Jagannath Sena, a prominent socio-religious organisation and local outfit led by convener Priyadarshan Pattnayak, at Singhadwar Police Station in the pilgrimage town.