Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar opened, mystery still persists

Even though the treasure trove of Lord Jagannath, the Ratna Bhandar, was opened after decades together, the controversy and mystery surrounding it don't seem to die down.

At a time when there are still clouds over the original keys of Ratna Bhandar, suspicion has grown stronger over the duplicate key. 

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said, “Ratna Bhandar has been opened as per the SOP of the Odisha government. Everything has been videographed and in accordance with the law. 

“There were three locks in the inner chamber, one had lac-sealed and two others were not sealed. However, all the three were locked. As the locks didn’t open with the two keys that had come from the treasury, all the three locks were broken as per the SOP,” said Panda.

Meanwhile, many questions have cropped up. Why the locks of the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar didn't open with the duplicate keys? Why two locks were found without lac-seal? Did someone try to open the locks? Was the key brought from the treasury, not the duplicate key? Had the original locks been replaced? 

It is pertinent to mention here that the then BJD government had faced severe criticism over missing Ratna Bhandar keys in 2018.

Subsequently, a duplicate key emerged from the Puri district treasury office under mysterious circumstances. If it was the duplicate key to the lock, whyn't a single lock opened? 

Did the then government tell a lie to save itself from controversy?

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday stated that an investigation will be conducted as to why lies were spread during the previous government’s tenure regarding duplicate key.

In an interview with OTV, Harichandan said, “Who said about the key, why it was said and on whose instruction it was done, everything will be probed.”

The Law Minister further said that the government’s priority was the opening of the Ratna Bhandar and it was done on Sunday.

The entire process of opening the Ratna Bhandar was conducted without any hassle. Not only Odisha, but people from across the globe have welcomed the opening of Ratna Bhandar. Whatever repair is required of Ratna Bhandar, it will be done as per the requirement, he said.

“As per Lord Jagannath’s blessing, the inventorisation of the valuables will be done, a database will be prepared along with a permanent catalogue. All the necessary works and processes for inventorisation will be taken up as per the SOP. We are hopeful to complete the process smoothly in the coming days,” said Harichandan.

When asked about the non-presence of lac-seal on two locks, the Law Minister said that it is believed that there would be no tampering. However, things will get clear after the completion of the inventorisation process.
Congress has demanded a probe into the matter.

“There should be an investigation to find out why the locks were broken and where did they go. The government should present a clear picture before the public,” said Congress spokesperson Biswaranjan Mohanty.

BJD leader Amar Satpathy said, “A Commission was set up and the report is now with the Government. The State government should make it public and place it before the Assembly along with the action taken report. Again setting up a Committee and wasting time should be avoided.”

During a public meeting at Phulbani in May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the duplicate key of Ratna Bhandar. He had then stated that the disappearance of key is sensitive and that making of a duplicate key is more serious.

In his address, PM Modi had also questioned who had made this duplicate key and whether someone had taken away the valuables from Ratna Bhandar during night.