**Bhubaneswar:** In the wake of arrests of six sebayats (Puri Jagannath temple servitors) accused of attack on media persons and even Collector during the ‘Niladri Bije’ of the deities from chariots on Sunday evening, opposition has trained guns against the incumbent BJD government in Odisha.
Former Law Minister and senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan burst before media, “If the Chief Minister is unable to control the temple administration, he should better enact a law and hand it over to a trust which can set right the utter disorderliness”.
Harichandan, being the Law Minister of Odisha earlier and having looked after the whole affairs of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), informed media that the Jagannath Temple Act has provisions for suspending and dismissing rowdy elements. Even criminal cases can be initiated against them for their crimes committed.
“Has Chief Minister the guts to act tough against the disruptive and disobedient temple servitors who even dared to hurl abuses at the Collector on duty and attempted assault on him when he objected to the blatant violation of ban imposed on chariot climbing by their family members,” fumed Harichandan.
Holding the State Government solely responsible for such a deplorable state of affairs, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “Had the Government taken such elements into task earlier and dealt with them with an iron hand, it would not have resurfaced. Such unruliness is not unprecedented. Ban imposed by the High Court had no deterrent to a section of the sebayats who had openly challenged to breach the verdict”.
On being asked to suggest a solution to the prevalent precarious position, Mishra replied, “When the State Government doesn’t intend to initiate stringent actions, how can its officials dare to do so following which coordination is being lacked and contradictory comments are being cropping up on the whole issue”.
Senior Congress MLA Naba Das said, “It’s queer to note that the government having the mandate of the people of Odisha is mysteriously mum over such a serious issue that has hurt the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees and the party has decided to raise it in Assembly”.
On the other hand, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb in his reactions to OMMCOM NEWS said, “Action has already been initiated following FIRs filed by Collector and media persons. Since it is an emotive issue, State Government is well aware of the development and looking into it so that such incidents do not repeat in future”.
