Bhubaneswar: A noted educationist landed in trouble for replicating the Pushyabhishek ritual at the Jagannath Temple here January 2.
A complaint was filed against Achyuta Samanta Thursday in this regard before the SDJM court, Khurda, by advocate Deba Kumar Ratha of Baramunda village. He accused that Samanta had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
The ritual is performed at Puri Jagannath Temple on the full moon day of Pausha month as per Hindu calendar. The sacred event is also observed at the palace of the Puri King. Vedic Brahmins perform special pujas honouring the king on the occasion.
Like in Puri, same pujas and rituals were performed in the precincts of Jagannath temple at Patharagadia where Samanta acted out as the King Dibyasingha Deb. He was decked up in the attire of King of Puri.
“The accused Samanta by proclaiming himself as the king of Puri has committed the offence of cheating and severely damnified the religious beliefs of the devotees with deliberate and malicious intention,” alleged the petitioner in his complaint.
Deba Kumar deplored that Infocity police had refused to accept his complaint.
He, later, moved the court where his complaint (case no. 154/2018) was admitted. Court, under 156(3) of the CR Pc, directed Badagada PS to register a case. Sections under which the charges are labelled against Samant include 295(A), 323, 417, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
PNN
