A political dispute erupted between the ruling BJP and opposition parties BJD and Congress regarding the alleged mismanagement during the Rath Yatra in Puri. The BJD criticized the state government for lapses during the event, highlighting issues like Lord Jagannath not wearing the traditional Tahia during the procession.
Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik expressed disappointment over the incidents during the Rath Yatra, stating that they had hurt the sentiments of devotees. She questioned the explanation given by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration Chief Administrator regarding the removal of Lord Jagannath’s headgear.
The BJD demanded an apology from the State Government to Jagannath devotees for the oversight. They also criticized the government for a devotee’s death due to a crowd rush during the event, alleging that VIP security was prioritized over safety. The party called for compensation for deceased devotees’ families and proper medical care for the injured.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president, Bhakta Charan Das, accused the government of mismanaging Lord Jagannath’s affairs over the past three years, leading to a loss of sanctity. Das highlighted the absence of the traditional floral headgear during the Rath Yatra, emphasizing its significance in the rituals.
Das criticized the Health Minister’s denial of a stampede during the event, calling it inhumane. He demanded immediate compensation for the families of deceased devotees. In response, the ruling BJP refuted stampede allegations, asserting that the Rath Yatra proceeded smoothly despite adverse weather conditions.
