Demolition Of Mutts Resumes In Puri After Amicus Curiae’s Thumbs Up To Eviction Drive

Puri: A day after Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar backed the Odisha government saying that the demolition drive near Jagannath Temple was in public interest, the Puri administration on Sunday resumed razing of Bada Akhada Mutt.

While the occupants of the mutt were asked to vacate the building on Saturday, the mahant was shifted to Nilachal Bhakta Niwas before six JCBs began pulling down Languli Mutt and 37 shops on its premises in presence of magistrate and 30 platoon of police.

Some portions of the mutt, including ‘gaadisthali’ (seat of religious head), kitchen and Hanuman temple will be left untouched.

The drive had to be halted on September 3 after talks between the administration and mutt chief (Mahant) and several saints remained inconclusive with Puri Collector Balwant Singh rejecting the demand of the 15-member committee to stop the eviction drive around the 12th century shrine

On Saturday, the amicus curiae had said that there should be no protest against the eviction drive as the state government has formulated a blueprint to beautify Puri.

He will reportedly submit his review report to the apex court on September 17.