An attempt to unify the two parallel groups of the Muktimandap of the Jagannath Temple has suffered a setback after election of its president is now scheduled in April this year.
Though both the groups of priests namely Muktimandap and Muktimandap Pandit Sabha (MPS) unanimously resolved to merge into a single body, the president election of the Sabha has caused the trouble.
It had been decided in the meetings of both the bodies that the MPS founded in 1905 would merge into the Muktimandap to form a single unit. An attempt was underway how to unite the two parallel groups for the sake of pilgrims. With a common objective both bodies are operating independently and enjoying rights in the temple.
This besides, the Chayan Committee (empanelment board), which was to be constituted for selection of new members to the Muktimdap has yet not taken a shape even after three years of order. A decision in the temple administration was that as part of reform, a Chayan Committee would be formed through which the selection of new entrants would take place. Like the servitors, the members of the Muktimandap would be given identity cards on behalf of the temple administration. But that has not yet yielded any result with most members pointing a finger at the temple officials for nexus with dissident group of the Muktimandap.
Reportedly, the selection process would be conducted by Administrator (Niti) assisted by Officer In-Charge (OIC). However, a file signed by former Chief Administrator Pradapta Kumar Mohapatra has been pending at the OIC chamber without any movement.
The aspirants to enter Muktimadap complained that the dissidents scaring to be rejected by the Chayan Committee are putting trouble in selection process.
Notably, a tussle in the Muktimandap is on over the identity of some sitting members. Sources said that over 50 members possessing a seat here have no whereabouts of their ancestries who are living in the pilgrim city.
As per guidelines of the Muktimandap, a sitting member must have an ancestral house in the villages of Puri and enrol in the traditions of village lords. And they are the ones who are opposing the Chayan Committee and selection of new entrants, sources to the Muktimandap said.