Keep Lord Jagannath above politics: Gajapati Maharaj

Expressing his displeasure over the manner in which the 'Brahma Paribartan' ritual of Lord Jagannath was performed on June 16, Gajapati Maharaj of Puri Divyasingha Deb today said there should be no political interference in the Shree Jagannath Temple administration.
"I am hurt over the development that took place during Brahma Paribartan (change of life substance from old idols to new idols) of deities. A handful of people are creating disturbance in the temple and they are not punished, which indicate political patronage to such elements," Deb told a local television channel, while reacting over the violation at the century old tradition in Sri Jagannath Temple.

Apart from the Gajapati King, chairman of the temple's managing committee, lakhs of Jagannath devotees have expressed their anguish over conduct of Brahma Paribartan during the day time instead of being performed in the dark night of Amabashya and Sankranti on June 15.
Deb's statement on the Brahma Paribartan came a day after Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Nischalananda Saraswati held the Odisha government responsible for breaking the century old tradition during Brahma Paribartan of Lord Jagannath.
Asked whether he has any knowledge on the political patronage to trouble makers in the temple, the Gajapati Maharaj said, "This is obvious. Some people are creating trouble and going scot free time and again. What does this indicate?"

Stating that the Sri Jagannath Temple was above politics, Deb said, "There should not be vote bank politics over the temple and the Lord."

Puri BJD MLA and chairman of the Nabakalebara infrastructure committee Maheswar Mohanty termed the development at the temple as "unfortunate."
Criticising the state government over violation of tradition at the Jagannath Temple, BJP leader and Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "The state government cannot escape from its responsibilities under the plea that Brahma Paribartan is a secret ritual. It was the responsibility of the government to ensure a hassle free festival."
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan also alleged, "The disturbance in the Brahma Paribartan ritual is only due to careless handling of the matter by the state government.