Anubhav-Aparajita In Twitter War Over Draft Heritage Bylaws

Bhubaneswar: A war of words erupted between BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty and his parliament colleague from BJP Aparajita Sarangi on twitter over the draft notification issued by the National Monument Authority (NMA) on heritage bylaws for Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

Mohanty, who represents Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency tweeted that he requested Sarangi to meet Union Culture Minister over the heritage bylaws matter. However, she turned down his request, Mohanty stated, adding that he feels sad over the non-cooperation of BJP MPs from Odisha in such an apolitical issue involving State honour.

Personally requested #Bhubaneswar MP Mrs.@AprajitaSarangi to join us but she refused point blank. Regret @BJP4Odisha’s noncooperation in a purely non-political issue concerning #Odisha’s honour & spiritual sentiments.@CMO_Odisha @OfPinaki pic.twitter.com/NkwsGeWhet

— Anubhav Mohanty (@AnubhavMohanty_) February 13, 2021

Replying to the BJD leader, Bhubaneswar MP Sarangi stated that she will open up at right time. She requested him to 'wait and watch'.

Nothing is done without a reason.I will speak at the appropriate time. Please wait and watch.Regards. https://t.co/4CNxhi54lk

— Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament (@AprajitaSarangi) February 13, 2021

Notably, a delegation of the BJD MPs met Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi in New Delhi today and placed demands for withdrawal of the bylaws relating to Lingaraj temple.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the union government to take back the notification for Lingaraj temple and Brahmeswar shrine here.

Since Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel was not in the national capital, the BJD Parliamentarians met Prahlad Joshi and apprised him about the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's demand.

The proposed heritage rules, prohibit construction within a radius of 100 metre of any archaeological site, undermining the Odisha government's plan to develop the Lingaraj temple and its surroundings as a heritage site at the cost of Rs 700 crore.

It is pertinent to mention that the Ministry of Culture had earlier withdrawn the draft on heritage bylaws for the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri.