After initial hiccups, more and more individuals and organisations of the State are now showing keen interest for reforms in the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple, which is indicated by the increasing submission of affidavits before the Judicial Commission set up for the purpose.
Set up in July this year following the Niladree Bije fiasco, the commission, headed by retired Orissa High Court Judge BP Das, has already received over 800 affidavits so far. It is expecting over 1,000 affidavits as the deadline is ending on December 20.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the commission has asked the Puri district administration, particularly to the police administration, to share with it video footages, if any, of the disturbances that take place during performance of rituals of the deities. The commission had earlier sought documents pertaining to the rituals from the temple administration.
Security of the temple, safety of the devotees, timely conduct of the temple rituals and welfare of the lord’s servitors are among some of the aspects for which the commission has been asked by the State Government to suggest measures for reforms in its report.