Odisha Political Parties Join ‘No Untimely Rath Yatra’ Chorus

Bhubaneswar: A day after the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) orgainsed Rath Yatra at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, leaders cutting across party lines on Friday condemned the unscheduled celebration.

Congress leader Suresh Routray said that both the Odisha and Central governments should ensure that Rath Yatra is celebrated on a particular day as per the rituals and tradition of the Puri Jagannath Temple. Terming it as ‘drama’, he demanded that strict action should be taken against such aberration from tradition.

BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra requested the Odisha government to make efforts to protect the tradition of Rath Yatra and hold discussions with organisations holding such festivals to follow the prescribed rituals.

BJD spokespersons Amar Satpathy said that this was a conspiracy to abrade the age-old tradition of Puri Jagannath Temple and Rath Yatra. “The temple administration should file a criminal case against such organisations for breaching rituals and practices and denting Odia pride,” he added.

The Mumbai festival had led to resentment in the state with scholars and Jagannath culture experts demanding stern action against the organisation.

In November last year, ISKCON’s Ludhiana branch had postponed its proposed Rath Yatra following massive protests and an FIR. It had then decided to hold it on the same day as it is held in Puri. Puri Gajapati Maharaj had also urged ISKCON not to hold such untimely Rath Yatra.

The official Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath is conducted in a grand manner in Puri in the month of July (the second day of Ashadha month Suklua Paksha) every year.