Puri: In a significant development during the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities, the Shree Jagannath Temple Office in Puri has filed an FIR against servitors (sevaks) for allegedly violating a mobile phone ban on the chariots during the sacred procession.
The Office of the Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Security, issued a formal complaint to the Inspector-in-Charge of the Singhadwar Police Station, citing the circulation of photos and videos on social media that show sevaks using mobile phones while on the chariots of the deities during this year’s Rath Yatra.
According to the temple administration, the use of mobile phones on or inside the chariots violates established protocols and compromises the sanctity of the rituals. The letter also raised concerns over potential safety risks, stating that such behaviour endangers both life and property during the highly crowded and spiritually significant event.
The temple office has urged the police to treat the complaint as an FIR and to initiate legal action against those responsible for breaching the ban. Photographic evidence—three sheets showing sevaks using mobile phones—was enclosed with the complaint.
The ban on mobile phone usage during the Rath Yatra is a long-standing protocol intended to preserve the religious sanctity of the occasion and ensure public safety amid large crowds.
This move signals a stricter enforcement stance by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, which has been working closely with the district police and other agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra.
