Bhubaneswar: A BJD delegation on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, seeking a judicial inquiry monitored by a sitting Judge of Orissa High Court into the ‘serious mismanagement’ in Rath Yatra this year.
The delegation highlighted the stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple, which claimed three lives and left over 750 devotees injured. It also condemned the assault on journalists by police, terming it an attack on press freedom. “Several eminent senior journalists were physically assaulted by police personnel and restrained from covering the events, which amounts to a direct attack on democratic values and press freedom. Besides the sevayats, who were performing their rites, were pulled down from the Chariots.”
It also raised alarm over traffic chaos and misuse of 10,000+ cordon passes, allegedly distributed to BJP affiliates, disrupting crowd control. “The entire Rath Yatra witnessed severe traffic and crowd mismanagement, resulting in bottlenecks, stranded pilgrims, and obstructed emergency services, putting public safety at grave risk. Additionally, the indiscriminate distribution of over 10,000 cordon passes by the ruling BJP party as alleged to its affiliates and supporters, far beyond practical limits, caused major disruption in crowd control and contributed directly to the unfortunate tragedy which was never seen before.”
The delegation further noted that the pulling of Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha began at 7.45 pm, breaching age-old customs. It also drew the Governor’s attention to the absence of the Temple Managing Committee for 8 months, affecting ritual and festival management. “Further, during Rath Yatra 2024, Lord Balabhadra’s idol fell from the Taladhwaja chariot, a deeply distressing incident that provoked widespread public outcry. Despite the formation of a three-member inquiry panel, the report has not been submitted even after a year. This delay reflects administrative apathy and undermines public faith. We urge prompt release of the report, accountability, and preventive measures for future Rath Yatras,” it said.
It also urged the Governor to personally oversee upcoming Rath Yatra events to prevent further lapses and protect the sanctity of the festival.
Notably, the Odisha government has already ordered an administrative inquiry headed by Development Commissioner Anu Garg into the stampede incident.
