The Shree Jagannath Sevayat Sammilani (SJSS) has strongly opposed the decision of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee for a fresh listing of the undeclared ornaments of the lords kept in the secret vaults of the treasury (Ratna Bhandar) of the 12th-century shrine at Puri.
SJSS general secretary Kashinath Khuntia told reporters that the temple managing committee has neither the authority nor the right to go for a listing of the secret and undeclared ornaments of the lords, as per the law of the temple.
“Besides, such listing of the ornaments does not come under the purview of a ‘secular management’ as per the directive of the Supreme Court,” he maintained.
Stating that it is the duty and responsibility of the managing committee to supervise, maintain and keep a list of the ornaments that are used for the lords round the clock, Khuntia said the forefathers of the people who are now keen on listing of the secret ornaments had no role or contribution towards the acquisition and collection of the ornaments.
“The foreign rulers, during their invasion of the temple, could not get any trace of these secret ornaments,” he said, adding that any public display of the ornaments would focus the attention of the terrorists which would pose a serious threat to the temple.
Maintaining that the decision for listing of the ornaments is the handiwork of a vested group of sevayats, Khuntia said the move by the temple managing committee has deeply hurt the sentiments of the sevayats of the temple in general as well as devotees.
He also called on the people of Odisha to strongly protest the decision of the committee.