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Both opposition parties, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in unison today lambasted the ruling Biju Janata Dal supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for mismanagement of the rituals of Nabakalebara, the grand event which marks the replacement of idols of presiding deities of Puri Jagannath Temple with the new ones.
While Congress demanded the resignation of Patnaik, BJP sought an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister for violation of age old rituals followed for transfer of holy souls of the deities from the old wooden idols to the newly built ones, known as brahma parivartan.
The transition of souls, scheduled to be completed in the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday, was inordinately delayed and could only be accomplished on Tuesday afternoon because of internal bickering among the servitors.
"The government is managing the Nabakalebara festival irresponsibly. The deviation in the ritual must be enquired by a judicial commission as had been done during 1977 Nabakalebara and the Chief Minister must resign on moral grounds", said Prasad Harichandan, President, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.
As a mark of protest, the Congress members will hold a night long vigil and observe fast between June 26 afternoon and June 27 morning. Earlier in the day, BJP state president Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and national executive member Bijoy Mohapatra in a joint press conference said that the gross mismanagement in performing the rituals has hurt lakhs of Jagannath devotees across the globe.
Accusing the temple administrator for the mess, Mohapatra said "The temple administrator must be suspended immediately and the Chief Minister, who is maintaining a stoic silence over the issue should beg apology to the people of the state."
Saying that the state government is incapable to handle the massive congregation of pilgrims anticipated during the car festival of new deities scheduled in July, he said, "The state government should seek Central assistance for deployment of central forces as the present law and order machinery is inadequate and irresponsible."
BJP also appealed the Hindu religious institutions to come forward to ensure that the remaining rituals of Nabakalebar festivals are conducted smoothly.
Meanwhile, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today served show cause notices to nine servitors including the four custodians (Badagrahis) of the presiding deities asking them to explain reasons for delay in the conduct of secret rituals for soul transition.
"We will record their statements individually and will arrive at a conclusion on who was responsible for the delay. We will take very severe action against whoever is found guilty, said Suresh Mohapatra, chief administrator, SJTA.
"It is extremely unfortunate that both BJP and Congress are trying to score political brownie points from the Nabakalebara festival. The state government has taken all steps to complete the Nabakalebara and car festival successfully", said Samir Das, spokesperson, BJD.
