Puri: Puri Sadar MLA Jayanta Kumar Sarangi on Sunday requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to allow reopening of Lord Jagannath Temple.
Sarangi said that when temples and places of worship across India have reopened in accordance with Covid-19 protocol, the Puri Lord Jagannath Temple should also be reopened.
"I am very much happy that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited Srimandir to make an on-spot assessment of the progress of works in the pilgrim city under the Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) scheme and the Heritage Corridor project. His visit was organised in a much disciplined manner. Likewise, the devotees could also be allowed to visit Lord Jagannath Temple in compliance with the Covid-19 norms," Sarangi tweeted.
"If Srimandir reopens, the devotees will get the opportunity to get the divine blessings and spiritual bliss amidst the fear of the pandemic," he further wrote.
Meanwhile, Odisha Brahmana Committee (OBC) has demanded reopening of temples across the State.
"When all other institutions across Odisha have reopened, we don't know why the State government is not allowing the religious institutions to reopen," stated OBC president, Kameswar Tripathy.
As many as 15 other Hindu organisations have also cautioned the State Government to hit the streets if their demand is not met soon.
"The livelihoods of the Brahmins are at stake. Our economic condition has worsened due to the Covid-19 imposed lockdown. The government should now allow the reopening of temples at the earliest or else we will stage protests across the State," said Tripathy.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)
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