It is high time the State Government and the Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peeth cleared the cloud whether to allow persons of foreign origin on the chariot of Shree Jagannath.
If the issue is not solved soon, a number of shameful incidents like what happened to Italian Odissi dancer Ileana Citaristi a few days ago may take place.
Though an American national was last year assaulted on the chariot, the Government did not take appropriate steps to resolve the issue. The buck was passed to Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saswati. The Government maintained that the Puri seer would take a final call on whether to allow foreigners on chariots.
The Shankarachrya on his part held at least three meetings during one year even as the issue remains unresolved. Instead of taking a decision, the seer has made it clear that a committee should be formed to deliberate on the matter.
“A committee comprising the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, servitors’ representatives, the temple administration and eminent religious scholars should deliberate on the issue,” the seer has said. However, Swami Nischalananda has not shifted his responsibility. He has sought views of others before taking a final decision on the foreigners issue.
It is the job of the State Government to enlist all the resourceful persons and hold meetings to resolve the issue, feel many. The issue is whether to allow a foreign national to the chariotsIJ If the decision becomes no, foreigners will not try to climb the chariots. If yes then no one will stop them from going up to the chariots. The Government must facilitate the Shankaracharya to take a quick decision, say many.