The Puri Sachetan Nagarik Manch on Thursday lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik alleging that he violated rules during his visit to the Jagannath Temple here on New Year’s Day on Thursday.
According to the complaint lodged with the Singhadwar police, the Chief Minister broke an age-old convention by parking his car near the Aruna Stambha and in front of the lion’s Gate of the temple. It mentioned that the temple administration has declared the area as a no-parking zone and even devotees are not allowed to keep shoes there.
The manch alleged that the act of the Chief Minister has not only broken the tradition but also hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
Stating that several devotees were deprived of the darshan of the lords due to parking of Chief Minister’s vehicle, the manch demanded his arrest under various IPC sections.
“We have sent a copy of the complaint to each of the Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth, Mukti Mandap, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP),” manch convenor Priyadarshan Patnaik told reporters.
“Even the vehicle of President Pranab Mukherjee, during his recent visit to the temple, had parked outside the prohibited zone. Why the Chief Minister’s vehicle should be parked inside the prohibited zoneIJ” temple servitors wanted to know while protesting the incident.
However, the Singhdwar police was yet to register a case. “We have received a complaint. The charges are being verified,” DSP Pravash Routray said.