Bhubaneswar: Amid reports that the rice collected by Arpan Raths across Odisha is mixed with par-boiled rice, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lashed out at the BJD government and demanded tough action against those responsible for this.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said that the people of Odisha are pained over the collection of par-boiled rice by Arpan Raths ahead of the inauguration of Puri Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor Project.
Coming down heavily on the state government, the senior BJP leader said those who involved in preparing Mahaprasad using par-boiled rice collected through Arpan Raths and distributing the same to devotees have committed a sin.
Stating that the people of Odisha would not forgive those involved in the act, Samal said servitors of the 12th century shrine are also unhappy over the issue.
Demanding tough action against those responsible for this, the BJP leader said that people involved in using par-boiled rice for preparation of Mahaparsad must be sent to jail.
He said members of Suar Mahasuar Nijog had also stated that the rice was not suitable for preparation of prasad at the Temple.
Rice in many packets were unsuitable for preparation of bhog at the shrine as it is mixed with par-boiled rice.
