Following the order of the Supreme Court on the Parikrama Project, reactions have begun pouring in by giving a new twist to the controversy.
While the opponents of project were found living in a state of denial after the verdict, people supporting the Parikrama project have been overjoyed by the nod of the highest court of the country to the project.
However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has come under flak for its double standards over permission to the project and other issues. While the ASI had earlier opposed the Parikrama project in its affidavit in the Orissa High Court, amazingly it stood by the works by the State Government within a 100-meter restricted zone of the Jagannath Temple, triggering the row.
INTACH activist Anil Dhir said that the verdict would reach harm to the 12th century shrine in future. Dismayed over the order of two-Judge Bench of the apex court for allowing works within the prohibited zone, Dhir told that it will badly affect the monument with all other ancient heritages under the ASI purview. The ASI will have to bear the brunt of it, he told. He dubbed it as a dual role of the ASI over temple’s security in both the courts.
Reacting over the order slapping Rs 1 lakh penalty on him, Ardhendu Das, the petitioner told that he can no way admit the verdict. He expressed surprise over the fine slapped on him, saying that he was fighting for the sake of the Jagannath Temple, which is involved with emotion of the State and crores of Jagannath devotees across the world. In the meantime, former Congress leader Arya Kumar Jnanendra who also fights against the project has advised petitioner Das to move the Constitutional Bench of SC for justice.
Right activist Dilip Baral, earlier filing a PIL in the HC told to a TV channel that he cannot accept a verdict of SC so easily. Saying that the ASI’s stand is responsible for such a verdict, Baral told that their battle against violation of the AMASAR Act would continue.