The BJP on Sunday demanded that the State Government accept the decision of Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Gobarddhan Peeth Nischalananda Saraswati against devotees climbing the chariots and touching the deities during the Rath Yatra at Puri.
"The Shreemandir managing committee is the highest body to formulate rules and implement them for the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.
Hindu religion's main protector Shankaracharya, the Odia people's most revered Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the Chief Administrator of the Shreemandir and Chhatishanijog's all representatives are the members of this committee. The Shankaracharya has taken the decision in consultation with experts and going through records. The Government should accept his decision like it did it in earlier years," BJP State vice-president and MlA Basant Panda and spokesperson Sameer Mohanty said in a statement.
They said the Government's rebuff of the decision taken by the Shankaracharya and the Gajapati is a severe disrespect to the Hindu religion.
