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Bhubaneswar: Members of the Sikh community including Punjab MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh took to streets in Bhubaneswar on Sunday protesting demolition of the Mangu Mutt.
The centuries-old mutt is being demolished to make way for a heritage corridor within 75 metres of Puri Srimandir.
Holding banner, placards and sloganeering against the State Government for its decision to raze the Mangu mutt in Puri, the Sikh members organised a rally from Kharavela Nagar Gurudwara to Master Canteen square.
The protesting Sikhs also demanded the revocation of the order of Odisha Government to demolish Punjabi Mutt and Bauli Mutt for the beautification of Puri.
"The Sikhs residing in Bhubaneswar took out the rally protesting the eviction of Mangu Mutt. Two MLAs from Punjab have also joined us in the stir. Although the matter was pending in Supreme Court, the government razed the mutt. We want the land where Mangu Mutt is located to be handed over to the Sikh community," said an agitator.
A human rights activist from Punjab, Jagmohan Singh said, "The protest is just a warning and if the government doesn't stop the eviction drive, Sikhs from Punjab will come here in large numbers."
The MLAs also expressed their resentment for not getting an appointment to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to discuss the matter.
The MLAs advised the Odisha CM to visit Punjab to see how beatification can be done without demolishing temples and structures of religious significance. They also threatened to intensify the stir if their demands were not met at the earliest.
"A corridor project was also carried out in Golden Temple and there were Goddess Kali Mandir, Shani Mandir and other temples around it but those were not demolished. We accept that we are less in numbers but we know how to fight to get back our forefathers' land back," said MLA Balwant Singh.
Similarly, Bains said, "Today we have come to request the CM but we will come in large numbers if our demands are not heard. We also met Governor Ganeshi Lal and he assured steps in this regard."
Dr. Naresh Das, a researcher on Jagannath Culture said, "Though there are proofs of Guru Nanak staying in Mangu Mutt for a brief period, the Sikhs have no connection with it presently. The mutt is not being run by any Sikh organisation now."
