Activists Dr Biswajit Mohanty, Anil Dhir and Sukhvinder Kaur have said that the report of the Amicus Curiae (AC) appointed by the Supreme Court ignores the view of a majority of stakeholders affected by the demolition exercise in Puri.
They said the AC had meetings with the Gajapati, the Sankaracharya and the temple administrators, while the opinion and concerns of the Mahants were avoided. Even, the concerns of the Sankaracharya were not studied by court.
The AC report reveals that during the process of demolition and clearance, it was discovered that there was a temple located inside a building which had been sealed and which was opened up to be preserved. But Mohanty, Dhir and Kaur wondered on what basis this observation was made since site inspections do not reveal any such temple.
Referring to the mention in the AC report that several of mutts of ancient origin had now become antisocial, they questioned on what basis were the mutts termed as “antisocial”.
“Is it acceptable to demolish a heritage building on the ostensible ground that anti-socials are using it instead of removing the anti socials and curbing the so called illegal activities,” they asked.
The AC report states that the Managing Committee was not against the Government’s decision of going in for demolitions. However, they said the Managing Committee is never expected to go against the Government ‘s decision as it is a Government controlled body. Hence, this approval is meaningless and lacks justification, they said, adding that the sweeping statement by the Gajapati that nobody is opposing the so called “reforms” is a travesty of truth.
The AC report said the Gajapati did take one instance of the Raghunandan Library which was of great vintage and value and that the Government had agreed to re-establish the same as a research centre. However, Mohanty, Dhir and Kaur said the Raghunandan Library was on the third floor of the Emar Mutt. In fact it was a viewing platform for the non Hindus who were not allowed to enter the temple. During the Rath Yatra, it was a vantage point for Doordarshan for the live telecast. The Gajapati has expressed his distress in the destruction of the Library which was perched on the third floor of the mutt without giving any thought to the main building which was brought down. “Re-establish the Library at which location ? Where and how will these ancient origin mutts be revived after they were razed to the ground? Can the original glory of these Mutts be restored?” They asked.
The AC mentioned in his report that many suggestions with reference to the functioning of the temple were made by the Gajapati in a letter to the CM on August 28. Did the Gajapati also endorse or suggest the demolitions of the heritage mutts? There is no clear answer in the AC’s report, said Mohanty, Dhir and Kaur.
The Sankaracharya had categorically stated to the Press after the AC’s visit that there was a conspiracy behind the Government’s demolition exercise and that the intent was taking over the mutts’ lands and properties. The report of the Sankaracharya has not yet been studied by the court, they said.