Laser Scanning Of Ratna Bhandar In Puri Jagannath Temple An Evasive Tactic Of Govt, Says BJP

Bhubaneswar: A day after Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) gave its approval to laser scanning of Ranta Bhandar in the temple, BJP on Sunday said it was another evasive tactic of the state government to reopen the structure.

Speaking to media persons here, senior leader of BJP’s Odisha unit Samir Mohanty said the temple managing committee headed by Puri Gajapati can only recommend to the government on any issue related to the temple. After the government took over the management of Jagannath temple from Gajapati, the onus lies with the former, he added.

“The committee has already made the recommendation for reopening the Ratna Bhandar. Besides, the High Court had in its order on August 4 directed the government to form a special committee headed by a senior judge of the High Court or Supreme Court to look into the matter. But the committee has not been formed yet by the government. Thus the government has violated the High Court order also,” Mohanty said.

Stating that his party demanded reopening of the Ratana Bhandar before inauguration of Heritage Corridor in Puri, the BJP leader threatened to file a petition in the High Court for contempt of court by the government.

It may be noted that chief administrator of SJTA Ranjan Kumar Das on Saturday said that the SJTMC at a meeting had extended its approval to laser scanning of Ratna Bhandar by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ASI would start laser scanning on the outer wall of the Ratna Bhandar from November 28 as the temple would remain heavily crowded during Kartik month. The scanning would reveal whether there were cracks inside the structure and their location, Das said.

Also Read: ASI Allowed To Carry Out Laser Scanning Of Ratna Bhandar In Puri Jagannath Temple