Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on Odisha’s BJD government over the Heritage Corridor Project in Puri, Congress on Monday accused it of insulting Lord Jagannath by taking out processions of his idol on ‘arpan raths’ and trucks.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, state Congress campaign committee chairman Bijay Patnaik said the manner in which Lord Jagannath is being presented ahead of the inauguration of the corridor project has hurt the sentiments of Hindus across Odisha and outside.
Coming down heavily on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Congress leader accused him of having failed to understand ‘Odia asmita’ and the feelings of the people of the state.
That is why Lord Jagannath is being treated in a shabby manner, he said, adding that taking out processions of the Lord’s idol on arpan raths and trucks is condemnable.
Claiming that BJD workers are having feasts using arpan rice collected from houses of the people, Patnaik accused the BJD government of turning Lord Jagannath into a ‘beggar’.
Alleging that attempts are being made to transform Jagannath Temple into a tourist spot, the Congress leader said there is no need for advertising and publicising ‘Mahaprasad’ as all Hindus are aware of its significance.
Hitting out at the government over the entry of YouTuber Kamiya Jani into the 12th century shrine, Patnaik accused the government of roping in a ‘beef-eater’ for propagation of ‘Mahaprasad.’
Stating that the Srimandir Parikrama Prakalp involved removal of obstructions outside Jagannath Temple and construction of toilets for the convenience of devotees, he said Its inauguration does not require so much fanfare. There is no logic behind collecting betel nuts and rice from the people and using Lord Jagannath for the inauguration of toilets, Patnaik said.
The Congress leader said that action of the state government has hurt the sentiments of Hindus hurt and urged the Chief Minister to tender an tender apology to the Lord in front of the 12th century shrine when he visits the pilgrim town for the inauguration of the corridor project on January 17.
