Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, June 23: The nine-day-long annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath may not pass off peacefully this year if the difference of opinion between Puri Shankaracharya and the Daitapati servitors was not sorted out soon.The differences between the Daitapatis and the other servitors of Lord Jagannath came out in the open before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik when he reviewed the Rath Yatra preparations at a high level meeting in Puri on Sunday.Patnaik remained silent when the agitated Daitapati priests expressed their anger over the Shankaracharya’s views that the devotees should not be allowed to climb the chariots of the deities during the Rath Yatra.The Cabinet colleagues of Patnaik were seen pacifying the warring factions of the priests who attended the review meeting, and the Daitapatis sought a clarification as to who will identify those to be allowed to climb the chariots during the car festival.Normalcy was restored at the meeting after State Law Minister Arun Sahoo assured that a meeting will be held on June 24 to discuss about the rights of those persons who would be allowed to climb the chariots in view of the High Court order.This is for the first time that the Naveen Patnaik Government has landed up in the midst of controversy over the devotees climbing the chariots and touching the deities.While disposing off two public interest petitions on June 20, the High Court of Orissa had ordered that the Shankaracharya’s opinion that the devotees will not be allowed to climb the chariots during the Rath Yatra in Puri will prevail.“Any contrary opinion of the State Government will obviously be in-operative.The State Government may however perform its duty of maintaining law and order and providing all necessary assistance for smooth conduct of the car festival in accordance with the decision of the Managing Committee on the issue of rituals which is based on opinion of HH Shankaracharya, Puri and correctness of which is neither subject matter for consideration of State Government nor before this Court,” a Division Bench of the Court comprising Chief Justice A.K.Goel and Justice A.K.Rath said in its order.Though all parties involved had agreed to accept the court orders, the resentment among the Daitapatis over the Shankaracharya’s recommendations had come under criticism again in the review meeting on Sunday.
June 23, 2014
June 23, 2014
0 Comment
Related Articles:
- Sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath
June 23, 2020, 5:29 am
- Adhar Pana offered to Lord Jagannath
July 9, 2014, 12:14 pm
- Bahuda Yatra passes off peacefully
July 7, 2014, 10:09 am
- Chariot wheels kill two in Odisha
June 29, 2014, 10:09 pm
- Rath Yatra held without seer visit
June 29, 2014, 5:51 am
- Politics begins over Odisha Rath Yatra
June 29, 2014, 3:13 am
- Rath Yatra begins in Odisha
June 28, 2014, 9:27 pm
- Shankaracharya refuses to climb chariots
June 28, 2014, 8:41 am
- Chariot climbing issue casts shadow over Rath Yatra
June 28, 2014, 4:52 am
- Odisha gets ready for Rath Yatra
June 27, 2014, 11:20 pm
Breaking News:
- Operator of bus involved in fatal New York crash was listed by the state as an ‘unacceptable operator’ after failing several safety inspections
September 23, 2023, 10:08 pm - Pope says countries should not "play games" with Ukraine on arms aid
September 23, 2023, 8:53 pm - An Iowa man who failed to show up for the guilty verdict at his murder trial has been arrested
September 23, 2023, 8:35 pm - Ted Cruz Claims This Is Who He Thinks Is the ‘Most Likely & Most Dangerous’ Candidate to Replace Joe Biden
September 23, 2023, 7:53 pm - Birthplace of the atomic bomb braces for its biggest mission since the top-secret Manhattan Project
September 23, 2023, 7:31 pm - US diplomat says intelligence from 'Five Eyes' nations helped Canada to link India to Sikh's killing
September 23, 2023, 6:44 pm - 13-foot alligator spotted with human remains in its mouth in Florida canal
September 23, 2023, 5:53 pm - At UN, African leaders say enough is enough: They must be partnered with, not sidelined
September 23, 2023, 5:22 pm - Wife of South Carolina Republican congressman files for divorce, alleges 'extramarital' affair
September 23, 2023, 4:38 pm - Prince Harry told to ‘give notice’ as he is denied room at Windsor Castle during visit
September 23, 2023, 3:59 pm