Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 20: In the wake of media reports that video footage and photographs of Brahma Paribartan rituals have gone viral on social media, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief Suresh Mohapatra Saturday decided to investigate the whole episode.
“It was alleged that some servitors have taken photographs and videos of the ‘‘most sacred’’ Brahma Paribartan rituals. We will investigate the matter. If we find any corroborative evidence, tough action will be contemplated against the persons responsible for the sacrilege,” Mohapatra told the media here.
It is totally against the ethics and rules of the temple rituals, he said and made it clear that only four Badagrahis, who had been assigned with the task, actually performed it and no other servitors had entered the place.
Commenting on the irregularities, he said, “As per provisions, we have started proceedings to find out the reason and persons responsible for the delay in rituals. Strong action will follow against the persons found responsible for the delay,” he said here. The action as per provisions could be expulsion and suspension of Daitapatis who had created disturbances hampering the smooth conduct of the rituals, he informed mediapersons.
‘‘Nine temple servitors including Daitapatis have been issued show-cause notices. They will depose in writing by Sunday. They may also personally appear before the administration. Daitapatis are free to file their written depositions relating to the lapses,’’ he said.
He also pointed out that names of those Daitapatis volunteering to file their depositions will not be disclosed by the administration. ‘‘Different statements of Daitapatis are coming over the causes of delay in Brahma Paribartan rituals. The statements show that there were some disturbances inside the temple. We will verify all these and take action accordingly,’’ said Mohapatra. He further said, action would also be taken against the Daitapatis, who made public the ‘Gupta Niti’ (secret rituals).
Earlier in the day the SJTA chief met Law Minister Arun Sahu to take stock of the situation.
Mohapatra, however, denied any political interference in the temple administration. Admitting that one or two persons had taken mobile phones into the temple, he said the administration would take guiltyservitors to task. The servitors had taken mobile phones to shoot the sacred rituals of Brahma Paribartan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
The idols of four deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan in the 12th century temple here were replaced June 16 with new ones after 19 years.
The process of building new chariots is going on and it would be completed before the Rath Yatra and the temple administration has been providing all support needed for it, Mohapatra said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has been demanding the resignation of Law Minister Arun Sahoo for mismanagement of the Brahma Paribartan ritual, but Sahoo was seen avoiding the media at the state secretariat. The minister, by virtue of the portfolio, is accountable for the lapses in the conduct of rituals in the Sri Jagannath Temple, the Opposition parties said.