Even after a lapse of two years of the Odisha Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) order for acting over the issue of repair of the Jagannath Temple and submit the report, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is yet to file his reply. On the contrary, the OHRC is also not taking action for the unreasonable delay.
The order of the OHRC followed a petition filed by activist RadhakantaTripathy before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the failure of the Government in maintenance of safety measures in the Puri Jagannath Temple.
Due to failure of the Government of Odisha in maintaining safety measures, Sumitra and Sonali, two lady devotees were injured on October 8, 2013 at Natamandir when a lime stone fell on them. The victims are from Shailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar. The accidents occur frequently inside the world famous temple due to lack of safety and security measures, Tripathy petitioned.
The petitioner cited a few examples on the condition of the world famous temple and the temple continues to be a threat. On October 26, 1998 a big limestone fell from the main temple wall of temple. 72-year-old Raghunath Patra who was sitting in front of the Bimla Temple was seriously injured when the limestone weighing about 15 kg fell on him. About six years ago, a huge stone slab fell from the Anlabedha of the temple which then raised a lot of hue and cry throughout the State. last year, another stone slab fell from a wall near the Ananda Bazar in which one devotee was killed.
On November 4, 2006, four people were killed and 25 others were injured in a stampede during the ‘Mangal Alati’ at the temple. Bula Pothala of Dhenkanal was injured and On October 7, 2012, while a temple servitor was injured, Tripathy cited. The failure of the Government of Odisha and negligence of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the deterioration of the temple, Tripathy alleged and urged the NHRC to investigate the case and direct the State and the ASI to act on war footing to ensure adequate safety measures and continuous monitoring, besides providing appropriate medical treatment free of cost to the victims along with compensation. The NHRC had transferred the petition to the OHRC to consider the case.