Cuttack: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court on Monday against the decision of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to accord the rights to telecast live the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri in July to the highest bidding TV channel.
The PIL was filed by senior advocate of Puri, Prasanna Das.
Maintaining that the notification issued by the SJTA for inviting bidding from TV channels is a gross violation of the Jagannath Temple Act, the petitioner has sought immediate intervention of the court in this matter with a request to expunge the notification.
Meanwhile, the bidding submitted by seven TV Hindi and Odia TV channels was opened by the SJTA in Puri in the afternoon. Among these, Odisha Television Ltd (OTV) has emerged the highest bidder.
The temple administration will take a final call to accord the telecast rights in a meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Congress has vehemently opposed the decision of the temple administration.
In his reaction, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said the country has distanced itself from the socialist economy and embraced capitalism. On this principle, the bidding for the live telecast of the Rath Yatra has been made. “I strongly oppose those who earn money in the name of religion,” he pointed out.
Lashing out at the decision of the temple administration, Congress leader Suresh Routray said the Rath Yatra does not belong to the Odisha Chief Minister and the Prime Minister Modi. This historic festival belongs to the people. “By inviting bidding from the TV channels, the temple administration is trying to make this grand festivity a cheap publicity. We will stage a massive demonstration on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri if the temple administration sticks to its decision,” he warned.
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