Even after lapse of two years of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) order for acting over the issue of repair of Jagannath Temple and submit the report in this respect, the Chief Administrator of the temple is yet to file his reply and the OHRC is also not taking action for the unreasonable delay.
The order of the OHRC followed a petition filed by activist RadhakantaTripathy before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the failure of Government in maintenance of safety measures in lord Jagannath Temple.
Due to failure of the Government of Odisha in maintaining safety measures, Sumitra and Sonali, two lady devotees were injured on October 8, 2013 at Natamandir when a lime stone fell. The victims are from Shailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar. The accidents occur frequently inside the world famous temple due to lack of safety and security measures, Tripathy said.
The petitioner cited a few examples on the condition of the world famous temple which has been deteriorating. On October 26, 1998 a big limestone fell from the main temple wall of lord Sri Jagannath at Puri. Seventy-two-year-old Raghunath Patra who was sitting in front of the Bimla Temple was seriously injured when the limestone weighing about 15 kg fell on him. Similarly, about six years ago, a huge stone slab fell from the RsAnlabedha’ of the temple which then raised a lot of hue and cry throughout the State. last year, another stone slab fell from a wall near the RsAnanda Bazar’ in which one devotee was killed.
In November 4, 2006, four people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede during the ‘Mangal Alati’ at the lord Jagannath Temple. Bula Pothala of Dhenkanal was injured and On October 7, 2012, while a temple servitor was injured.
Failure of the Government of Odisha and negligence of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the deterioration of the temple, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case and direct the State and the ASI to act on war footing to ensure adequate safety measures and continuous monitoring thereof in the world famous temple and provide appropriate medical treatment free of cost to the victims along with compensation.
The NHRC transferred the petition to the OHRC to consider the case. Asking the Chief Administrator of the temple, the OHRC in its order stated, “The Chief Administrator of Jagannath Temple, which is an young and vibrant administrator and deeply committed to his duties and carved out a place in the hearts of the people wherever he is posted, would leave no stone unturned in preserving the magnificent monument of our country i.e. the abode of lord Jagannath”.
The repair work and safety provision in the immediate vicinity of the world famous lord Jagannath Temple has been put in the hands of the temple administration with a palm greasing order of the OHRC. Pertinent to mention here that the Orissa High Court has issued notice to various authorities over the issue two days back.