‘Aparajita Missing’ Posters Surface In Bhubaneswar Over MP’s Silence On Draft Heritage Bylaws

Bhubaneswar: ‘Aparajita Missing’ posters have surfaced in the Odisha capital over Lok Sabha MP Aparajita Sarangi’s silence on National Monuments Authority (NMA) draft heritage bylaws for Lingaraj Temple and Ekamra Kshetra region.

The hashtag #AparajitaMissing trended on Twitter on Wednesday.

Local MLA Ashok Chandra had also questioned the silence of the MP on the issue.

Responding to it, Aparajita, who is in New Delhi for the ongoing Parliament session, said she would be returning to Bhubaneswar on February 15. “I will then discuss the matter with all stakeholders and understand the matter properly. The Modi government is all for development but rules and regulations must be followed during such projects,” she was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

On damage caused to the heritage site by the use of JCB, the Bhubaneswar MP said that the government should have consulted the ASI before taking up any development works within the premise of a centrally-projected structure.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Endownment Commission and Khurda collector have written to Culture Ministry, requesting it to withdraw the proposed bylaws for Ananta Basudev and Brahmeswar temples.  The draft bylaws for Ananta Basudev covers a section of the Lingaraj Temple in its regulated zone.

Also Read: Lingaraj Temple Authority Spells Out Impact Of Draft Heritage Bylaws On Sevayats, Rituals