State Government Fails to Conduct Error-Free Rath Yatra for Three Consecutive Years: BJD

Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- Following the death of three devotees, injuries to hundreds of others in a stampede on the very first day of this year's Rath Yatra, and the controversy surrounding the absence of the Tahiya on Lord Jagannath during the Pahandi procession, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's assertion that this year's Rath Yatra would be conducted flawlessly has proved to be nothing more than an empty promise. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has stated that under the supervision of the BJP Government, which came to power promising efficient management of the Shree Jagannath Temple and safeguarding Odia identity, all three Rath Yatras conducted during its tenure, including the current year, have witnessed serious lapses. These incidents have deeply hurt millions of Jagannath devotees and raised serious questions over the competence of the BJP Government.

In a press statement issued today, party spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty said that while the proper administration of the Shree Jagannath Temple and the flawless conduct of the Rath Yatra are among the foremost responsibilities of the State Government, the Government has displayed gross irresponsibility during the last three Rath Yatras. Instead of ensuring proper management, the BJP Government has made grand claims, and after every unfortunate incident has merely tried to conceal its failures by offering one excuse after another.

Dr. Mohanty further stated that after the BJP Government assumed office, during the very first Rath Yatra under its tenure, the rare and unfortunate incident of Lord Balabhadra falling while being carried to the Adapa Mandap took place. The Government, which claims to treat religion with the highest reverence, merely announced an inquiry into the incident. However, the inquiry report has not been made public till date.

Similarly, during the second year's Rath Yatra, a stampede near the Gundicha Temple claimed the lives of three devotees. This year too, another stampede has resulted in the death of three persons and left hundreds injured. However, instead of accepting responsibility, the State Government has chosen to downplay the incident by claiming that the deaths were caused due to suffocation rather than a stampede.

On the other hand, a major controversy has arisen over the absence of the Tahiya on Lord Jagannath during the Pahandi procession. While Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were adorned with the Tahiya during their Pahandi, the beloved Lord Jagannath was seen without it. This sight deeply pained millions of Jagannath devotees across the world. Although the issue has evoked strong reactions from various quarters, the State Government is attempting to trivialize the matter by offering various explanations.

Dr. Mohanty further stated that the Government has completely failed to conduct a flawless Rath Yatra for three consecutive years. Instead of humbly acknowledging its shortcomings and taking corrective measures to ensure that future Rath Yatras are conducted without lapses, the Government is merely making desperate attempts to cover up its failures. Besides this, even the management of the Shree Jagannath Temple has remained unsatisfactory, and an orderly system for devotees' darshan has still not been ensured.