The Puri Gajapati minced no words to make his anguish and outrage public. Soon after meeting the visiting VHP Saints at his Bhubaneswar residence yesterday, he held a press meet and spoke out on the issue. He put the blame on Daitapati Nijog, but expressed concerns that other Nijogs in Puri Temple are being targeted and getting a bad name because of a handful people.
“The state government did not bother to resolve the issues, which led to this unprecedented situation today. The government never gave priority or importance to the temple management and allowed some vested interests to weaken them. This is not only about the present government. But, successive governments since 1960, never paid due attention to the affairs of the Puri Jagannath Temple,” he said.
The Gajapati asked SJTA Chief Administrator Suresh Mohapatra to expedite the probe and announce exemplary punishment against the erring Daitapatis to restore the confidence of common devotees. He also expressed concerns over the entry of mobile phones inside the temple. “I am shocked to learn that some Sevaks took mobile phones into the temple during the secret rituals. This is in violation of the rules and tradition. Strong action must be taken against them,” he added.