New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu visited Shree Jagannath temple in Hauz Khas area of New Delhi on the occasion of Rath Yatra on June 20 and paid obeisance to the sibling deities.
Pictures of the President offering prayers to the Lords and seeking their blessings inside the temple were also posted on her official Twitter handle. The photos showed Murmu worshiping with folded hands outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. The post also carried her message as she wished people on the auspicious occasion. It also coincidentally happened to be her birthday.
However, a controversy has erupted after photos from the President’s visit went viral on social media as she was seen standing with folded hands outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine and offering prayers. The priests of the temple were seen performing rituals inside. Some people sought to know as to why she did not go near the idols to worship despite being the first citizen of the country.
The row began when some people sought to know as to whether the President was denied entry into the holy sanctum sanctorum because she happens to be a tribal. It was alleged that the incident showed signs of discrimination.
It was also pointed out that photos of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s visit to the temple showed him performing rituals inside the sanctum sanctorum and touching the idols. Other Union Ministers were also stated to have gone inside near the Lords in the past.
However, temple officials refuted the allegations and said that the President herself did not want to enter the sanctum sanctorum and offered prayers from outside. There is absolutely no discrimination and people must refrain from creating a controversy, they maintained.
