Amicus curiae to visit Puri on Sept 20

The Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium is scheduled to arrive at Puri Thursday to hold discussions with various stakeholders over reform measures in Jagannath Temple.

The amicus curiae on Friday and Saturday will interact with Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, Shankaracharya of Puri Neeschalananda Saraswati, officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and sections of the servitors over the proposals suggested by the apex court, SJTA chief administrator P K Mohapatra said.

The Supreme Court, after hearing a petition on June 8 and July 5, had directed the temple administration to implement 12 proposals as a part of disciplinary reforms in the 12th century shrine.

Issues relating to abolition of hereditary appointment of servitors, end to collection of 'dakshina' by servitors are likely to figure during the talks, sources said.

After obtaining the views from the stakeholders, the amicus curiae will submit a report to the apex court.

The Supreme Court had taken serious note of the alleged exploitation of devotees by 'sevaks' at Jagannath temple and passed a slew of directions to prevent such malpractices and mismanagement.

The petition had highlighted the difficulties faced by devotees in the temple and their harassment by the servitors.