Launching an attack on the State Government, former Puri MP Braja Kishore Tripathy on Thursday termed demolition of mutts and religious structures as “acts of Kalapahad” and “administrative terrorism”.
“It is laughable and hypocrisy to make Puri a global heritage by demolishing centuries’ old mutts and monasteries linking to the Jaganath Temple,” Tripathy said, adding that a 75-meter space is not even available around the Parliament in Delhi, which is under topmost security cover.
Tripathy stated all these at a Press conference here. Among others, Puri Bar Association president Rudra Nandan Mishra, lawyers Jyoti Prakash Mishra and Kaliprasad Dash and Er Sarada Prasad Swain were present. They raised questions on veracity of eviction of buildings and mutts within 75-meter radius from the Shreemandir.
Stating that no security expert or Government agency has recommended such a gap, Tripathy expressed doubt over the Municipality Act and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act under which the administration is demolishing structures and assuring people of packages for compensation. He too termed the activities of the Government as violation of fundamental and human rights of citizens.
Criticising the attempt to displace the Utkalmani statue from the Lion’s Gate and Collectorate to Sipasarubali, they all urged the Government to revisit the decision. They informed that they would hand over a memorandum to the Amicus Curiae and the Solicitor General during their visit to Puri on Friday.