Following widespread protests, the Union Ministry of Culture on Monday withdrew the controversial draft bylaws framed by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) prohibiting construction works around the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The move came after a delegation of BJD and BJP MPs from the State met Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel demanding repeal of the bylaws. Patel assured the BJD delegation led by MPs Pinaki Misra and Bhartruhari Mahtab to roll back the proposed bylaws. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to the Jagannath Temple said he had spoken to the Centre for removal of the bylaws.
Patnaik said the Centre can never create hindrance in the development projects in Puri.“Nobody can stop the work of Lord Jagannath,” Patnaik told people after paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath at the temple.
Notably, Patnaik visited the temple for the first time after the Covid-19 breakout. He landed at Talabania helipad in Puri by a special chopper and headed for the temple amid tight security. The servitors welcomed him with the customary ‘Khandua’.
Accompanied by 5T Secretary VK Pandian and other officials, including Puri Collector Samarth Verma, Patnaik entered the shrine in the morning.“This is the first time I am visiting the temple in the time of pandemic. I prayed for prosperity and peace of people of Odisha.
I thank people who sacrificed for the temple and their sacrifices will not go in vain,” Patnaik told people at the Singhadwar of the temple. On the controversial NMA bylaws, he said, “I have spoken to the NMA.
The Centre should remove the new bylaws and nobody can stop the good work for the Lord.”