Repeated spy cam invasions at Puri Jagannath Temple: ‘Toothless Temple Act encouraging offenders’

The repeated detection of devotees carrying spy cameras inside Puri Srimandir is no longer a security anomaly; it is a direct outcome of weak punitive action, believe devotes in Odisha. Despite multiple violations, most offenders reportedly walk away with routine warnings or brief questioning, creating the impression that the rule is strict but the consequence is soft.

According to Mahaprabhu Jagannath devotees, the absence of a clear and consistent penalty has turned the issue into a routine cycle: someone is caught, detained briefly, released and soon another incident surfaces. 

Without exemplary legal or administrative punishment, the deterrence factor is almost nonexistent, they point out.

Consequences Must Be Strong Enough

Security analysts argue that in a high-sensitivity zone like the Srimandir, where photography is explicitly prohibited, consequences must be strong enough to discourage attempts at the gate itself. Instead, the current approach sends the opposite message- violations are taken seriously only on paper, not in practice.

This gap between policy and enforcement is now at the centre of public concern. Unless authorities establish a firm, uniform action protocol that is visibly enforced, such breaches are likely to continue, undermining both security and the sanctity of the temple.

How Light the Punishment Is?

Earlier this year, Bhaskar Samanta, a devotee from West Bengal, was caught filming inside the sanctum sanctorum. Police booked Samanta under relevant BNS provisions for deliberately engaging in acts that offend religious sentiments. He was also charged under Section 30A(4)(C) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, which bans cameras inside the shrine.

However, the law offers only a modest penalty- a maximum of two months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000. Many consider this far too lenient, especially when hidden devices like spy-glasses and covert micro-cameras are being used to evade security checks.

Government Proposes Tough Reforms

In response to rising incidents, the Odisha government is considering a significant overhaul of the temple law. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan recently backed amendments to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act to classify unauthorised filming, including the use of spy cameras, as a cognizable offence, with jail terms of up to seven years and non-bailable provisions.

The proposed changes also aim to restrict the use of mobile phones and cameras within the temple premises strictly to authorised security personnel.

Surveillance Upgraded, But Accountability Lags

On the ground, authorities have begun tightening surveillance, with police personnel at temple gates now equipped with body-worn cameras- both as deterrence and for evidence collection.

Also Read: Man wearing ‘spy-cam glasses enters Puri Jagannath temple’, detained

However, for devotees and servitors, these remain reactive measures. They argue that technology alone cannot replace strong, consistently enforced punishment- something still missing from the current system.