Puri: Leaders cutting across party lines have voiced strong sentiments against the draft bylaws framed by National Monument Authority (NMA) for the Jagannath temple in Puri and its subsidiary shrines.
Puri MP Pinaki Misra said the notification on bylaws have deeply hurt sentiments of Odia people. The bylaw for Puri Srimandir proposes to impose complete restrictions up to 300 metre around the shrine.
He tweeted: Outrageous attempt by the Central Govt to derail the extraordinary work being done due to HCM’s untiring efforts to improve surroundings of ShriMandir and Lingaraj Mandir. Clubbing our living Gods’ abode with mausoleums is blasphemous. Odia sentiments deeply hurt.
Outrageous attempt by the Central Govt to derail the extraordinary work being done due to HCM’s untiring efforts to improve surroundings of ShriMandir and Lingaraj Mandir. Clubbing our living Gods’ abode with mausoleums is blasphemous. Odia sentiments deeply hurt. pic.twitter.com/OR7qUiZG65
— Pinaki Misra, Puri MP (@OfPinaki) February 7, 2021
A few minutes later, the MP expressed hope with the move made by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration seeking to withdraw the draft notification.
Misra tweeted: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has written to the NMA in Delhi explaining why the draft notification deserves to be withdrawn forthwith. Hope and trust good sense prevails and this legitimate request is acceded to immediately. Jai Jagannath.
His political opponent and senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra. released a statement saying: Comparing the Jagannath temple of Puri with other temples in the country is not right as the deity here is considered a ‘living god’.
