Puri Shankaracharya calls govt’s beach shacks plan ‘disgrace’ for Odisha

Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati joined members of different social organizations, intellectuals, servitors, and researchers of Jagannath culture, in opposing the Odisha government's plan to set up beach shacks along the shores of Puri and Konark to serve liquors to tourists.

 The seer condemned the move as a disgrace to Odisha's spiritual sanctity and advocated for preserving the religious significance of Shree Jagannath Dham. He advised the BJP-led government to refrain from such acts and called it a disgrace for Odisha.

Expressing displeasure over the move, the seer said, “Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri is the place for spiritual and religious soul-searching. Under no circumstances, liquor and other form of alcoholic beverages should be allowed here.”

“I have all along demanded that the Puri beach should be a place of bhajan, kirtan, and arati. This proposal of the government in Puri sea beach should not be supported in any form and is not acceptable,” the Shankaracharya said.

A large of people have voiced their concerns over the government’s plan to set up beach shacks to serve liquor under the Odisha Excise Policy, 2021. As per reports, the excise policy approves the setting up of beach shacks near different water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and dams, apart from beaches for tourism.

Meanwhile, members of different organisations on Wednesday staged protests at Singhadwara opposing the nod to open the beach shacks in Puri. Many are of the opinion that it would give rise to crimes in the religious place.

Worth mentioning, the state government through the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has invited bids to set up beach shacks along coastlines, initially from Puri to Konark to promote beach tourism.

The OTDC also plans to open counters at beaches on Puri-Konark Marine Drive offering tourists beverages including liquor, along with music on the lines of Goa.