**Bhubaneswar: ** The unfortunate development of ritual irregularities in Puri Shree Jagannath Temple since Monday had its echo resound in Odisha Assembly on Tuesday when opposition Congress and BJP members resorted to pandemonium condemning the incident and also demanded action against those responsible for forcing the deities go hungry and sleepless and thus severely hurting the sentiments of the devotees worldwide.
Following the uproarious scene by the opposition members, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat had to adjourn the House till 11.30 am. Even after the House re-assembled, the same ruckus ruled the roost following which Speaker was bound down to re-adjourn the proceedings till 3 pm.
The opposition created ruckus over the deplorable delay in Srimandir rituals owing to a tiff between the ‘sebayats’ (temple servitors) and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
In his reactions, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “Lord Jagannath feed us all. Then who will make him go hungry? But when any irregularity is observed during his rituals, the devotees are in pain as they love the Lord so much. Whatvever has happened in the Lord Jagannath Temple, it’s certainly condemnable. The agitators would have appealed the High Court for a review of its order. As it’s very sensitive, we had raised the issue during the Question Hour in a bid to draw the attention of the State Government. We want that a detailed discussion should be done over it and the imposing impasse should be resolved.”
Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati demanded, “The Chief Minister should directly hold discussion with the agiatators there and resolve the stalemate. Also those who are guilty of forcing Lord Jagannath hungry, thirsty and sleepless must be punished.”
Odisha BJP MLA Pradip Purohit commented, “The daily rituals of presiding deity of Odia community Lord Jagannath have been affected. This has extremely hurt the Jagannath lovers both in Odisha, outside Odisha and even in the world over. Since last evening, all the temple servitors are on ‘dharna’ (sit-in protest) before the ‘Aruna Stamba’ near the Lions Gate of the temple. Even though Lord Jagannath and His siblings are hungry and sleepless, the State Government here is least bothered about it and has instead gone into a deep slumber. No exchange of dialogue is being initiated with the protestors to resolve the deadlock.”
“BJP condemns it and demands that the State Government should soon intervene into it. Those who are responsible for the ritual irrgeularities must be punished. Collector and SJTA chief administrator had been to the stir spot last evening, but did not hold any discussion with the agitating servitors,” the BJP MLA fumed.
On the contrary, Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said, “It doesn’t augur well to make political allegations pertaining to Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of all. Whatever has happened there is unfortunate and condemnable. Government is well aware of it. Action has been initiated as per the Jagannath Temple Act and efforts are on for a solution to the ongoing stir and irregularities.”
**Also Read:** [Lord Jagannath In Puri ‘Hungry’ And ‘Sleepless’ Over Conflict Between Servitors & Authorities](https://www.ommcomnews.com/lord-jagannath-in-puri-hungry-and-sleepless-over-conflict-between-servitors-authorities)
**Also Read:** [Devotees’ Wait Ends, Puri Jagannath Temple Jagamohan Opens After 2 Yrs](https://www.ommcomnews.com/devotees-wait-ends-puri-jagannath-temple-jagamohan-opens-after-2-yrs)