Odisha Congress demands judicial probe into Puri Rath Yatra "mismanagement"

United News of India

11 hours ago

Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Prasad Harichandan today demanded a judicial inquiry by the sitting District Judge of Puri to investigate the alleged "chaos and mismanagement" during this year's Rath Yatra in the temple town of Puri.
Harichandan said the judicial inquiry should be announced within ten days after Niladri Bije, along with appropriate action against those responsible.
He pointed out that for the first time in 53 years, the chariot pulling was synchronised to occur on a single day, combining Nabajoubana Darshan, Netrotsav, and the Gundicha Yatra on June 27.
"Rath Yatra has been celebrated for over 1,200 years. On many occasions in the past, the chariot pulling and the arrival of all three chariots at the Gundicha Temple were completed on a single day," Harichandan said.
However, he added, this year, the chariots Taladhwaja and Darpadalana failed to reach their destination, while Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, barely moved — only enough to maintain tradition.
'So, the big question is — why was the chariot pulling halted, and for whom?' he asked.
Harichandan referred to media reports ahead of the Rath Yatra that claimed industrialist Gautam Adani would visit Puri, pull the chariot, and partake in temple rituals.
However, Adani did not arrive in Puri on the day of the Yatra. The Congress leader questioned whether the pulling of the chariots was deliberately postponed to the next day just for him.
Reacting to the statement of Sri Jagannath Temple's Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhi — who had said, 'Perhaps some devotees did not turn up, so Nandighosha didn't move' — Harichandan said the comment was 'shocking and painful.'
He alleged that this year, the entire management of Rath Yatra was handed over to the ruling party. Political event managers replaced government officials, scheduled timings were altered arbitrarily, and a two-hour delay occurred between the Pahandi (procession) and Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping).
Referring to last year's incident, Harichandan recalled that Lord Balabhadra's chariot had met with an accident during the Pahandi at the Gundicha Temple while descending the Charamala. No cause was identified, and no action was taken.
'This year, Taladhwaja faced a delay in turning southward, and around 750 people were injured in the crowd crush on Rath Yatra day,' he said.
He further alleged that despite objections from the Director General of Police, a private agency named 'IG Drone' was given control of the Closed-Circuit Integrated Command System for the Rath Yatra.
Citing a serious security lapse, Harichandan claimed that Priyanka, a female friend of Jyoti Malhotra — who is allegedly linked to ISI — was seen inside the secured cordon zone. 'How did she manage to enter such a high-security area, right in front of the District Collector?' he questioned.
The Congress leader also alleged that more than 5,000 entry passes were distributed, leading to widespread allegations of irregularities, discrimination and selective discretion on the part of the Puri District Collector.
He pointed out that the Rath Yatra is being conducted in the absence of a formally constituted Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.
Although Gajapati Maharaj has repeatedly raised this concern and even met the Chief Minister over the issue, no concrete action has been taken.
'The Law Minister has now claimed the matter is sub-judice, conveniently shirking responsibility,' he added.
Harichandan further alleged there is a complete lack of coordination between the temple administration, the state government, and the servitors (sebayats). UNI DP SSP