A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a probe by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) into the proposed second Jagannath temple in Puri by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra on Friday demanded that it should be a public inquiry instead of a usual secret official probe.
“Though late, yesterday the Government declared a RDC inquiry into the entire episode. Instead of an official inquiry usually conducted secretly it should be a public inquiry with recording of views of general public. Since it is a sensitive issue linked to religious sentiments of all Odias, importance need to be given to perceptions of general public,” Mohapatra posed in his facebook account.
Mohapatra, who was the first to expose the Iskcon’s proposed second Jagannath temple said the RDC should hold discussions with the Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha, Jagannath culture researchers, servitors and Puri citizens and record their views on the matter, he said.
Earlier this week, taking note of the controversy over the proposed construction of an administrative probe into the matter and submit a report within two months.
Notably, the controversy started after Mohaptra told mediapersons that the Iskcon had already submitted a DPR to the State Government and the PKDA (Puri-Konark Development Authority) for setting up of a Jagannath Temple taller than the Shreemandir.