The Ganatantra Suraksha Jagaran Manchon Wednesday urged the State Government to accept Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati’s stand on devotees climbing the chariots of lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra during the Rath Yatra without further delay.
The Puri seer, in his report, has categorically suggested that devotees not be allowed to climb the chariots and touch the deities as “it is not prescribed in any Hindu religious scripture,” said the Manch.
Addressing a Press conference here, Manch convenor Siba Prasad Mishra said, “The Shankarcharya is the chief protector of Hindu religion and he is authorised to suggest in any matter at the time of any religious issue. He has taken the decision for not allowing devotees to climb chariots after discussing the issue with many scholars and people concerned as climbing chariots is against the spirit of the scriptures. Hence, the Government without any hesitation should accept the seer’s recommendation.”
He also warned that the Government would be responsible if any untoward incident happens in future.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad State unit’s special relations chief Pramod Kumar Dash also urged the Government to settle the controversial issue by implementing the Shankaracharya’s report.
“In past whenever a crisis took place relating to the temple’s religious affairs, the decision of the Shankaracharya was final. In this case too, nobody should oppose the decision of the seer as he has taken the decision after consulting various scholars and servitors’ groups of the Jagannath Temple,” he said.