SC Hearing On Jagannath Temple Reforms Deferred

New Delhi/Puri: The much-awaited Supreme Court hearing on the reforms in Jagannath Temple in Puri scheduled on Wednesday has been deferred by four weeks.

“The amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam had recently written to the Supreme Court Registry that he has not been able to submit the report. Since he is on a tour. Besides, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri is currently on a foreign tour. After his return, he will review the report of the three-member committee and hold discussions with the Chhatisha Nijog and the temple administration. Considering the above, the amicus curiae has told the apex court that he will submit the report on October 3,” counsel of the petitioner Subhranshu Padhi told the media in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He further said that the Odisha government has submitted the interim report of the three-member committee, which recently conducted a public hearing on different issues regarding reforms and suggested proposals on a disciplined darshan of the Lords by devotees.

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court, during its two hearing on June 8 and July 5 this year, had proposed the Odisha government for implementation of 12 proposals on the reforms in the Jagannath Temple.

Acting on the directive of the apex court, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and the Temple Managing Committee had a meeting with the servitors’ bodies of the temple. While the servitors have agreed for implementation of nine proposals, they strongly opposed the implementation of annadana atika, abolition of hereditary service and amendment of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954.