Gajapati blames state govt for Snana Purnima fiasco

Bhubaneswar: Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on Wednesday blamed the state government for the chaos and administrative failure during Monday's Debasnana Purnima at the Jagannath Temple despite the presence of officials and policemen. His discontentment came amidst growing public outcry over a large number of influential priests allowing their near and dear ones to touch the deities, resulting in the defacement of the idols.
"I was shocked by the chaos and indiscipline on Snana Mandap. Touching the deities is completely prohibited as per the order of Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati in November 2013. Just as the Supreme Court's verdict in legal matters is final, the decision of the Shankaracharya in Hindu religious affairs is conclusive and undisputable," said Deb, revered as the first servitor and living entity of Jagannath.
Deb said it was the duty of the state government to execute the Shankaracharya's decision, which was already endorsed by the Orissa high court. "What is the purpose of making such rules and restrictions if those are not executed properly?," he said.
The Puri king asked the state government to conduct an inquiry and punish those responsible. "It has been decided at previous temple meetings to allow only servitors, who are supposed to be there, near the deities. But a number of servitors, having no role near the deities, occupied spaces around the idols and prevented devotees from catching a glimpse of the deities on the bathing altar. The government should take action against those who created the ruckus," Deb said.
The state government is in the line of fire for its failure in maintaining law and order in the 12th century shrine, which is often mired by controversies and problems. In the wake of mismanagement suding Nabakalebara and 'Bramha Paribartan' (soul transfer of new deities) fiasco, the Puri king in June last year came down heavily on the state government. Deb had said the state government never gave due priority to the temple since it took over the shrine's management from the royalty.
The Opposition Congress and BJP too heaped criticisms on the state government and demanded action against the officers, who failed to tame the unruly servitors. Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said it was unfortunate that the government failed to handle the daily affairs of the temple. Congress BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra criticized the ruling party for inept handling of the shrine management.