NHRC seeks report from state on Lingaraj Temple accident
Jogendra Samartha of Samartha Nijog fell around 20ft while carrying the 'Mahadeepa' (holy lamp) atop the temple around 10.30pm during Maha Shivratri celebrations, sustaining leg fracture and severe facial injuries. Two other priests and a police officer also suffered minor injuries due to hot oil spill. All victims were shifted to Capital Hospital for treatment.
Following a formal complaint by human rights activist and lawyer Akhand, the NHRC issued notices on Thursday to special secretary of the home department, Radha Kishan Sharma, and the Khurda district magistrate.
The matter has been listed for hearing during the NHRC's camp sitting/open hearing in Bhubaneswar scheduled for July 21.
The commission has also directed that all officials concerned, the complainant and the victim or their representatives be present at the hearing. Sharma has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the participation of all parties.
Akhand said the incident highlighted serious safety concerns at state-managed temples, including the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and Jagannath Temple in Puri, where sevayats regularly perform high-risk rituals without proper safety equipment.
This negligence potentially violates their fundamental right to life and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution, he added.
The petitioner has urged NHRC to investigate the accident's circumstances, administrative failures and occupational hazards faced by sevayats. The commission will evaluate the compensation and medical care provided to the injured servitor and may recommend safety reforms in temple administration.
Akhand has also called for mandatory safety protocols, an independent inquiry into the incident, adequate compensation for the injured, and preventive measures to protect temple servitors' rights and lives across Odisha.
"NHRC's intervention represents a crucial step toward enhancing safety standards for traditional temple workers throughout the state and is expected to catalyse significant reforms in temple administration," said Akhand.
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