Saswat Singhdeo

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium will visit Puri on September 20 to hold discussions with various stakeholders over 12 proposals suggested by the apex court as part of disciplinary reforms for the Jagannath temple.

During the visit, the amicus curiae will hold discussions with the officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Shankaracharya, members of Chhatisa Nijog and Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb on Sept 21 & 22.

Based on the suggestions from the stakeholders, the amicus curiae will submit the final report to the apex court.

The Supreme Court on September 5 had deferred its hearing on Puri Srimandir reforms after Subramaniam sought four-week time to submit the final report.

The apex court, after hearing the case on June 8 and July 5 had directed the temple administration for implementation of 12 proposals as a part of disciplinary reforms in the 12th century shrine.

However, the servitors of the temple and the SJTA are yet to reach a consensus on three most important issues- abolition of hereditary appointment of servitors, prohibition of collection of money for Annadan Atika by servitors and amendment of Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954.

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