Puri: Sankaracharya Nischalanand Saraswati Tuesday called for cooperation among the three major political parties in state—BJD, Congress and BJP—for improving affairs at Srimandir and introducing reforms in the 12th century shrine.
Saraswati also asked the BJD government in the state to hold discussions with the leaders of Congress and BJP to solve issues related to the missing keys of Ratna Bhandar (Srimandir treasury). “The state government should take opposition parties into confidence and take appropriate steps on the issue,” he said.
Expressing concern over the missing keys, the seer sought the formation of a high-level committee to probe the sensitive issue. “The probe should find out who possessed the keys and under what circumstances these went missing. Had the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the Gajapati king and the district administration consulted me, I would have given my views on the issue,” said the seer.
Saraswati claimed that the state government and the SJTA have been ignoring him while taking important decisions regarding Srimandir. “According to Srimandir traditions, Sankaracharya of Puri Gobardhan Peeth has to play an important role in the shrine affairs. However, the state government and the temple administration are reluctant to take my advice,” said the Sankaracharya.
He also criticised political parties for blaming each other on the missing keys issue. “Political people do not have the desire to solve the issue. They only work for their electoral gains,” Saraswati said.
Earlier, the Sankaracharya had expressed displeasure over the BJP’s statewide agitation on the missing keys. “The BJP was part of BJD-led coalition governments in the state for nine years. A BJP leader had served as the Law Minister. So, the party should explain what it had done to improve affairs at Srimandir,” he said.
Bijoy backs Sankaracharya, flays party
Bhubaneswar: Commenting on Puri Sankaracharya’s statement on the recent Ratna Bhandar keys issue, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bijoy Mohapatra Tuesday seconded him and slammed his own party.
Speaking to reporters here, Mohapatra said, “The BJP had shared power with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for nine years. What did they do for the temple at that time?”
Stating that Puri Sankaracharya has pointed out the right thing, he said, “It cannot be denied that the Law portfolio was with the BJP for nine years. The judicial Commission will reveal what was done during that period for the temple.”
Reacting to Mohapatra’s statement, senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan claimed that as the Law minister in the coalition government, he had taken a slew of measures for Srimandir.
“Starting from administrative measures to smooth conduct of Rath Yatra and rituals of Lord Jagannath, my main focus was servitors’ welfare and discipline when I was in the office. No big fiasco occurred during my term which would pose a question to the intentions of the government,” Harichandan said.
Attacking Mohapatra, the BJP leader said, “Some people make remarks without having full knowledge of that period. This is very unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Pitambar Acharya sought answer from the government on 4 kg of gold donated to Lord Jagannath temple allegedly going missing. He asked whether the gold was there or the government had looted it.
However, BJD spokesperson Samir Das said the judicial probe is going on and Supreme Court is also monitoring the situation. “All will be clear once the probe is completed. The BJP should stop politicising the sensitive issue,” he added.
