The demand for holding Rath Yatra at Baripada, known as the second Srikshetra is gradually gaining momentum here.Besides, the State's major opposition party BJP and Mayurbhanj’sleading social organisation, Bhanja Sena too have lent their support to the cause.
The district BJP and Shri Jagannath Vahini submitted their memoranda to district Collector Vineet Bharadwaj recently to press for their demand for holding the Rath Yatra at Baripada, complying with Covid norms, exactly in the same manner as Puri. While the BJP's memorandum, addressed to the State Governor, urged him to intervene in the matter and see that Baripada Rath Yatra takes place, the Jagannath Vahini sent its memorandum to both Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, urging for the same.
The BJP delegation included its MLAs and senior leaders while the Jagannath Vahini delegation comprised Umakant Rout, Sarat Nayak, Narottam Panigrahi and Laxman Tripathy. This apart, the Mayurbhanj Matha Mandir Suraksha Samiti on Thursday held a peaceful procession, accompanied by bhajans and kirtans, through the Baripada Grand Road (Bada Danda) demanding the Rath yatra in the town.
Maharaja and former Minister Praveen Bhanjdeo, cine stars Asit Pati and Anup Shah, activist Samarendra Basa and many other prominent personalities of the town were a part of the procession, which strongly demanded holding of the Rath Yatra here. Women, from their rooftops, blew conches in support of the demand. Yet another socio-cultural front Jagannath Pravachak Committee also came out in support of Baripada Rath Yatra.