Alleging that the Odisha Government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration have failed in providing proper security to the visitors and to the 12th-century shrine, a Cuttack-based public spirited person has approached the Odisha High Court through a PIl seeking judicial intervention in view of the ensuing Rath Yatra and next year’s Nabakalebar.
Chittaranjan Mohanty, a practising lawyer and a political activist, in his petition has alleged that due to improper security management by the State government, the historical marvel of the country is now under the scanner of terrorists.Annexing a newspaper report, the petitioner has referred to recent video clippings in social media showing aerial views of the temple.The petition too has questioned about the “mismanagement” and “maladministration” of the temple administration in disciplining the priests and servitors of the temple for which there have been lots of criticisms both in State and outside.
“Since some mean, greedy and unscrupulous priests and servitors are harassing the devotees and visitors every now and then, the right to free profession, practice and propagation of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India is violated,” the petition said.Apprehending the looming threat to the shrine, the petitioner has urged the High Court to step in and direct the State Government and other stakeholders to safeguard and protect the historical monument by making specialised security arrangements.