Senior Congress leader and former Minister Suresh Kumar Routray demanded that the State Government come out with a permanent solution to the frequent disputes involving the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Condemning the behaviour of some unruly servitors on the Niladri Bije day, Routray told reporters here on Friday that the temple administration should implement Jagadguru Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswwati’s observation on the ban on devotees climbing the chariots.
“As a Paika servitor, I am shocked about the behaviour of the unruly servitors. It should not have happened,” said Routray.
This year, the servitors created problems during Snan Purnima, Pahandi Bije and climbing in top of Rath, etc., he said. The activities of the servitors hurt the Jagannnath devotees, he pointed out.
He also criticised the servitors for misbehaving with journalists and the district Collector.
He also demanded that the temple remain open till 10 pm and urged the administration to bring the lord’s lands in Jatni, Harirajpur, Niranjanpur, Beruan, Bairang, Rathipur, Kushumati, Ramachandrapur and Ogarsuan, etc., under the Jagannath temple administration control.