TV
The scene of pigs allegedly feeding on ‘Arpan Rice’, which was collected by the previous govt prior to the inauguration of the Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, in Gop of Puri district has triggered resentment among Jagannath devotees.
As per reports, three days ago, a mini truck had dumped quintals of ‘Arpan Rice’ at the branch canal in Gop. While the district administration took no steps in this regard, pigs were seen feeding on the dumped rice on a bridge near the canal on Saturday. The scene hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath devotees triggering outrage.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida and local residents expressed their deep concern and condemned the way the rice is being treated.
“Around 15,000 quintals of rice was collected from across Odisha. People had donated the rice with great devotion. There was a proposal to cook the rice and distribute it among devotees as Mahaprasad. But it didn’t happen so because Mahasuara Nijog opposed this. As a result, the rice started to rot after lying unused for a long time. For not being fit for consumption, the rice was dumped in canals. Who else other than pigs will eat them?” said a local resident.
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Expressing her concern, Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida said, “With the promise of preparing Mahaprasad, rice was collected. After keeping it in houses and letting it rot, it was then dumped in rivers. We are condemning this.”
