Bhubaneswar: Opposition parties, BJP and Congress, on Friday came out with their reactions to Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal’s suggestion to allow foreign devotees into Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Speaking to media on his reaction to the Governor’s suggestion, senior BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra said, “It is the personal opinion of Governor. Mukti Mandap takes decision on this matter. We will respect whatever decision will be taken by it. Our party has nothing to comment on it.”
But he questioned why Buddhists from other countries are not allowed entry into the Jagannath temple while Indian Buddhists can have darshan of sibling deities inside the temple. He cited the example of Thailand queen, a follower of Buddhism, not being given permission to go into the temple.
Similarly, senior Congress leader from Jatni Suresh Routray said the age-old tradition of not allowing non-Hindus entry into the temple cannot be violated. “As a devotee of Lord Jagannath, I will not agree to the proposal of the Governor. I respect all religions but cannot tolerate the Muslim and Christian visitors coming from outside countries to go inside the temple,” he said.
“If Hindus have temples to worship our Gods and Goddesses, the Muslims have their mosques and the Christians their churches. They are free to offer their prayer inside their religious places, but not in temples,” he added.
Meanwhile, a servitor of Jagannath temple Maya Purusottam Das ruled out giving entry to non-Hindus to the temple. “There is no need for non-Hindus to go inside the temple to offer puja as the Lord Himself comes out of His abode during Rath Yatra to give darshan to all His devotees,” he said.
He reasoned that the devotees coming from outside countries are themselves happy to participate in the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. “In fact, Rath Yatra continues to spread across the globe with more and more people from different religious groups participating in it. In this situation, I don’t see any reason to raise the issue again,” he added.
On Thursday, the Governor had urged Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and Adi Guru Shankaracharya to allow foreign devotees to go inside the temple to offer prayer.
“Foreign devotees are allowed to meet Puri Gajapati, Adi Shankaracharya and servitors and therefore, they should not be barred from paying obeisance to the Lords at the 12th-century shrine,” he said.
The governor said that he proposed the entry of foreign devotees into the temple because of his association with Odisha and is aware that many people may not agree with it.
Also Read: Odisha Governor For Entry Of Foreign Devotees Into Puri Jagannath Temple – odishabytes
