Demand To Reopen Temples Intensify: Odisha Priests To Beat Gongs Everyday Now

Baripada: Intensifying its agitation against the decision of State government to keep temples closed due to fear of Covid-19 infection, the Odisha Mandira Sevayat Sangha- an association of temple priests has now decided to beat gongs and ring bells in front of temples everyday from November 11. They want the government to take immediate steps to open temples in compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines.

As per the decision taken in a press meet today, priests and servitors will ring bells outside all the temples across Odisha for nine minutes from 9 AM in order to vent their anguish.

The priests' body has also decided to stage dharna outside Odisha Legislative Assembly here on November 10 pressing for their demands.

President of Odisha Mandira Sevayat Sangha, Kameswar Tripathy stated, "The State government has been continuously lying. We held the first 'ghanta' protest on October 6 following which the Chief Secretary directed the district collectors to consider the possibility of re-opening religious institutions for the public and submit report to the government in the next 10-days. As no steps were taken in this regard, we held another agitation by ringing bells on October 28."

"Though public worship in temples were allowed under Unlock-6 guidelines, if permitted by local administration, temples were not opened and now the concerned authorities are saying that shrines will reopen when schools and other institutions open in State," added Tripathy.

Despite repeated requests, our appeals have fallen on deaf ears and therefore we have decided to rings bells in front of temples for nine minutes at 9 AM as a mark of protest against the State government's decision, informed Tripathy.

(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)