Bhubaneswar: Justice BP Das, head of the one-member commission appointed by the state government to suggest reforms in the management of the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri today said changes should be made to the Record of Rights (RoR) of the temple keeping in view the demands of the time.
Talking exclusively to OTV after the gazette notification on the appointment of the Commission and the terms of reference, Justice Das said, “There has been a lot of reforms in the revenue Record of Rights (RoR) of the temple. If changes are needed and made accordingly in the RoR of the Sri Mandir, what is wrong in that?"
He, however, said he can comment on the exact nature of changes required only after going through the existing RoR in some detail.
“In my view, accountability should be implemented. If people who are managing the rituals become indisciplined, the temple will not function. If the accountability is implemented, people will be afraid of indulging in indiscipline. The commission will suggest how discipline can be brought into the system.”
Refuting the charges that the government is helpless before the servitors, Justice Das said, “If that is the case, why did the government set up the panel? Let an interim report or final report come, people will know what steps can be taken,” adding that no one can threaten either the devotees or the government.
Notably, following the Niladri Bije fiasco on July 17, the Odisha government decided to form the commission, which would give suggestions on disciplined rituals, security arrangements, disciplined darshan for devotees, training and education to servitors, conservation of heritage and propagation of the Jagannath culture.