Puri Stampede: Political war erupts in Odisha as BJD, BJP trade barbs

A political war of words has erupted between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the aftermath of the stampede that occurred during the recent Rath Yatra in Puri. The age-old and revered festival, which draws lakhs of devotees from across the globe, has now become the epicentre of a heated political exchange.

Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik strongly criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of gross mismanagement during the Yatra. She remarked, “Such incidents have surfaced, which were unheard of during the BJD governance,” implying that the sanctity and discipline of the festival were better maintained under the previous regime.

In a swift rebuttal, the current Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan defended the government’s handling of the event and lashed out at the opposition.

He claimed that the BJD, during its time in power, had its own record of mismanagement and that the public is well aware of those shortcomings. He accused the Opposition of attempting to politicise the matter instead of acknowledging ongoing efforts to improve festival management.

Amid the political mudslinging, administrative preparations are underway to ensure that future rituals of the Rath Yatra are conducted smoothly and with due reverence. Officials have assured that corrective measures are being implemented to prevent any recurrence and to uphold the sanctity of Odisha’s most celebrated cultural and religious event.