Puri: Sankaracharya swami Nischalananda Saraswati today expressed grief over government’s move in undertaking various works for the maintenance of Sri Mandir without his notice and indirectly sought a White Paper on the same.
On the sidelines of unveiling a book here, the Hindu seer criticised Naveen Patnaik-led government for ignoring him in the Sri Jagannath temple affairs.
“ASI was given only 12,000 for the maintenance of Sri Mandir 22 years ago. In touch with Central government, we had published a notification. The father of the current chief minister had issued a white paper with my proposals which I had given to Centre on the maintenance of the temple. But, now I am not aware about what is being undertaken for the preservation of temple”, Saraswati said.
He flayed both the centre and State government for taking a lackadaisical approach towards the protection of spiritual organisations. “Not a single Prime Minister in independent India is aware about his responsibility towards mutt and temple. As they have not understood their responsibility, there is no question that they are discharging their duty. I do not find a single Prime Minister or chief minister who discharged 1 per cent of his duty towards mutt and temple”, he quipped.
The seer alleged that the government machineries are controlling the temple and mutt. “As per the constitution and tradition, the spiritual organisations are managed in special manner. But, now- a-days government machineries have control over it and are directly running these on own style. It has made the spiritual outfit complete direction-less”, he added.
Expressing deep concern over the filthy environment of Puri, the Hindu seer held the short sightedness of the government responsible. “Many things take place in my silence. I do not belong to any party, if the government of a party did not paid heed towards the protection of Jagannath culture, it would not continue to remain in power for more days”, he pointed out.
He hoped the BP Das commission would do need ful. “The office of ‘Govardhan Peeth’ has given its proposal to Justice BP Das commission. If he (Justice Das) comes to me, we will discuss on every aspect. I would talk to my mind”, Saraswati maintained.