Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of the Congress party on Monday organised a mega rally in Puri demanding the opening of Ratna Bhandar and all four doors of the Shree Jagannath temple.
Hundreds of workers and top leaders of the Congress took out the rally from Gundicha temple to the office of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). A team of Congress leaders headed by PCC president Sarat Patnaik submitted a memorandum to the SJTA chief administrator, addressed to the Governor.
The PCC president said that the devotees are facing immense problems due to the reluctance to open all four gates of the temple. He questioned the SJTA decision not to open all the doors of the temple as the Covid pandemic has ended.
The Government has allowed the entry of devotees only through the lion gate in view of the pandemic restrictions.
The party also demanded the handing over of the land measuring 6000 acres occupied by Vendant Company following the order of the Supreme Court and the proper rehabilitation of mutts, temples and houses demolished by the government for the beautification of the heritage city.
Congress has given the ultimatum to open the doors of the temple by October 28 else state-wide demonstrations will be organised.
The Chief Administrator of SJTA, Ranjan Kumar Das said that the memorandum will be forwarded to the Governor. Das also assured to take appropriate action after going through the demands.
