While the Iskcon’s proposal to build a temple in Puri is still triggering reactions as regards to its ‘profit-making’ motive, the statement of the former Iskcon, Puri head has put the noted religious institution in a fresh imbroglio.
Mayapur Chandra Das, an Italian Iskcon devotee, who headed Puri unit from 1992 to 1997, on Thursday in a joint Press meet with Jagannath Sena activists lambasted the proposal for construction of another Jagannath temple by the Iskcon.
“Since lord Jagannath is being worshipped in Puri main temple, there is no need for another temple in the city. Some vested interests, who do not believe in principles of Prabhupada, have been trying to use Iskcon for their commercial interest,” said Das.
He said the property was meant to raise a hospital and an old-age home and, in principle, no Iskcon property is sold out. Any such sale violates the Iskcon constitution, he observed.
Das alleged that Gournitai Das claiming as the head of Iskcon Puri unit has sold out over four acres of Iskcon property to one laxmi builder. Most of the founding members of Iskcon Puri unit have left or dissociated themselves because of this act, said Mayapur Chandra Das. Jagannath Sena’s Priya Darshan Patnaik was present.
In the meanwhile, the Puri district administration demarcated Government land which is under Iskcon possession. It was found that an area of 6.87 acres Government land is still within the Iskcon compound, with its main gate and entrance road is on the Government land.
The team which measured the land submitted their report to Sub-Collector Madhusudan Dash. Since the Odisha High Court had issued a stay order over the property, the district administration is unable to take possession of said land, said the Sub-Collector.