After remaining silent for a few months, the aggrieved Daitapati Sevayats of the Sri Jagannath Temple have threatened not to extend their cooperation in the ensuing Nabakalebara Ratha Yatra of lord Sri Jagannath unless they were compensated for their loss due to restriction imposed on climbing of devotees onto chariots.
Secretary Premananda Das Mohapatra and president Sri Rama Krishna Das Mohapatra of the Daitapati Nijoga , the highest representative body of the Daitapati servitors, said in a written statement that on the assurance of the Jagannath Temple Administration, they had cooperated fully with the Government for holding of the Ratha Yatra festival last time. However, if they do not receive their legitimate compensation, they would certainly be forced to abstain from duty during the Nabakalebar rituals.
Further they said that though the first stage of Nabakalebara festival ‘the Banajaga Yatra’ was fast approaching neither the Government nor the Temple Administration had taken any decision on the compensation issue.
Stating that Suresh Mohapatra, the officer on special duty appointed by the Government to sort out problems, had assured of due compensation to the Daitas after the Ratha Yatra was over, the Daitapati Nijog described the delay as unfortunate and demanded early steps to sort out the issue.