9 Bangladeshi nationals held while entering Puri Jagannath temple in Odisha

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Mar 3, 2024 at 9:41 PM

Bhubaneswar: Nine non-Hindus were reportedly caught while entering the Jagannath temple at Odisha’s Puri town today.

All the nine non-Hindus are from Bangladesh and they were staying at a hotel in the Holy Town, sources said.

2 minor sisters drown in pond in Odisha’s Puri

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal visits Jagannath temple at Odisha’s Puri

Among the nine, four reportedly entered the 12^th century shrine while remaining five persons were found outside, sources added.

They were immediately taken to Singhadwar police station. The police have reportedly seized Bangladeshi passports from them.

The police have detained them and launched a probe into the incident. The cops have also conducted searches at their hotel rooms, sources said.

Notably, non-Hindus are barred from entering the Jagannath temple.

“Five non-Hindus were found at the heritage corridor of Jagannath temple today. We talked to them and came to know that four of their friends had entered the temple. We immediately informed the incident to Singhadwar police. The police detained them and launched a probe. We urge the cops and the district administration to step up security at the shrine,” said Shantanu Pandey, a Vishva Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal activist from Puri.

When contacted, an official of Singhadwar police said, “It has been alleged that some non-Hindus had entered Jagannath temple. We detained them and launched a probe. We are verifying their passports and other documents.”