The Jagannath Sena, a Puri- based outfit, held a ‘Musthi Viksha’ (begging donations) drive near the Lions Gate of the Jagannath Temple here on Tuesday to fight against entry of non-Hindus into the shrine.
Sitting on the Bada Danda (Grand Road), the supporters begged rice, vegetables and coconuts, etc., so that they would sell them to arrange money to meet their cost of fighting the concerned case in the Supreme Court for justice.
The Sena members also demanded that the conspiracy behind the missing keys of the temple’s Ratna Bhandar be unearthed. Putting eight questions to the State Government, the Sena pointed out the role of Puri MP Pinaki Misra in listing a case on donations when the SC was on a holiday, during holiday when emergent matters such as eviction, stay and bail petitions are only allowed for hearing. The complaint was listed in the SC within two days.
Since the complainant wrongfully informed the SC that Nabakalebar of the Lords falls after every 19 years, the Sena demanded an apology or else get prepared for a defamation suit for hurting sentiments of the Hindus.
It also sought to know whether entry of non-Hindus falls under the rights of the petitioner. Questioning on the three-member committee on temple reform, the Sena also raised the issue of the religious acceptability of the report. Sena convenor Priya Darshan Patnaik led the agitation.