SC-appointed amicus curiae holds meetings on Puri's Jagannath Temple reforms

Supreme Court-appointed amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium Friday held discussions with Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Puri Shankaracharya here on reform measures to be implemented in the 12th century shrine.

Subramanium began talks with various stake-holders after paying obeisance at the Jagannath Temple where he spent around three hours inside the sprawling complex and examined the condition of different structures.

The amicus curiae, an impartial adviser to a court of law, held an hour-long interaction with officials of the SJTA including its Chief Administrator P K Mohapatra, Puri District Collector and Superintendent of Police regarding the 12 reform proposals.

The Supreme Court in its interim order in June had directed the temple administration and the state government to implement its 12 reform proposals.

The apex court after hearing petitions had directed the temple administration to implement the 12 proposals as a part of disciplinary reforms in the shrine.

Mohapatra told reporters after the meeting that the amicus curiae was briefed about the history, tradition and rituals of the temple.

He said Subramaniam was also informed about the various steps taken by the temple administration with regard to the apex court's directive for implementation of the reforms.

The amicus curiae also held a closed-door meeting with the Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, for around one-and-a-half hours regarding disciplinary reforms in the shrine.

In the evening, he held deliberations with senior officials of the state government.

The amicus curiae is scheduled to interact with Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, servitors of the Jagannath temple and others.

Issues relating to abolition of hereditary appointment of servitors, end to collection of 'dakshina' by servitors are believed to have figured during the talks, temple 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.