The Odisha Surakha Sena (OSS), a cultural outfit, on Friday urged Governor SC Jamir to direct the State Government to accept Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati’s recommendations to put an end to the practice of devotees climbing the chariots and touching the deities during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri.
Following a dharna in front of the Raj Bhavan, a delegation led by Sena president Abhishek Joshi met Governor’s Secretary and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor in this regard.
Joshi said devotees should not be allowed to touch the deities by servitors at the practice is not permitted in the Hindu scriptures.
Joshi alleged that some self-centered Daitapati sevayats (servitors) of the Sri Jagannath temple, in an aim to earn money, are allowing devotees to climb the chariots and touch the deities. “This is not sanctioned by the scriptures and must be stopped,” he added.
The outfit in the memorandum mentioned that the State Government succumbs to the unreasonable demands of the Daitapati Nijog beyond the religious protocol. “We condemn such irrational attitude of the Nijog and urge the Governor to interfere into the matter as soon as possible,” it said.