Fresh Controversy Over ‘Arpan Rice’; Odisha Minister Says Unfit For Lords Of Puri Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: A fresh controversy has erupted over the use of rice collected by the ‘Arpan Rath’ ahead of the inauguration of Puri Heritage Corridor Project during the previous BJD regime in Odisha.

The state was also rocked by a raging controversy over the issue earlier. The issue has resurfaced now as a huge quantity of the rice collected by ‘Arpan Rath’ is still lying unused with bulk of the stock turning unfit for use.

It may be noted that Arpan Rath (chariot for offering) had moved around the state before the inauguration of the heritage corridor project in Puri. These chariots had collected rice, coconuts and betel nuts from the devotees. The offering was supposed to be used in the yajna of the project inauguration.

According to Puri temple’s Suara Mahasuara Nijog secretary Narayan Mahasuara, over 14,000 quintals of rice were collected during the drive and only 4,000 quintals were used. The rest around 10,000 quintals of rice remain unused and bulk of the stock has been damaged and become unfit for use.

Stating that the rice cannot be offered to the Lords in the 12th century shrine, he said the servitors have sought the advice of the temple administration on the issue.

Attacking the previous BJD government over the issue, Congress MLA Ashok Das told reporters that the damaged rice should be destroyed as it is not fit for human use. He claimed that the rice was collected by the previous BJD government as part of its vote grabbing politics.

Dismissing the allegation, BJD legislator Pradip Dishari said there should not be any politics over ‘Arpan Rice’ as people donated it voluntarily out of devotion. He blamed the administration for failing to properly preserving the rice.

Speaking on the issue, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the Arpan Rice is not fit for use and it cannot be offered to the Lords in Jagannath Temple.

Stating that the issue had been raised at the time of collection of rice by Arpan Rath and the servitors of Jagannath Temple had also expressed unhappiness over the collection drive. However, but the previous government did not pay any heed.

The Minister said that the temple managing committee has been told to discuss the issue threadbare and take a decision on the use of the rice. The state government will take necessary steps as per the decision of the temple managing committee, he added.