Defiant Daitapati servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple here are vehemently opposed to the temple administration’s decision ratifying the Puri Shankaracharya’s suggestion not to allow devotees to climb chariots and touch the deities during the Rath Yatra.
The decision, taken at the general body meeting of the Daitapati Nijog at the Radhaballav Math late on Wednesday evening, has paved the way for a confrontation with the temple administration. The Nijog made it clear that any attempt to prevent devotees from climbing on to the Raths would be opposed tooth and nail even if the decision of the temple management committee is backed by the State Government.
Describing it as a longstanding practice, the Daitas asked why the ban was not enforced earlier if the scriptures did not allow devotees to mount the chariots. There was no such restriction in the Record of Rights, (RoR) of the temple prepared in close consultation with both the Shankaracharya and the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, the Daitas pointed out.
Accusing the temple administration of using the Shankaracharya to settle scores with them, the Daitapatis also issued a veiled warning to the temple administration saying the former would be responsible for any trouble that may arise because of its decision. On the other hand, Chief Temple Administrator and RDC (Central) Arabinda Padhee said talks would he held with the Daitapatis tp resolve the controversy amicably.