Chorus for Jagamohana repair gets louder in Odisha

Swetaparna Published On : May 15, 2016 at 9:45 PM Updated On : May 18, 2016 at 12:19 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 15:

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI)’s dilly-dallying with the repair and conservation of the Jagamohana of the Shree Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri has received flak across the board from all political parties in the state.

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Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra today targeted the ASI and the Union Minister of Culture for the tardy progress in the repair of the Jagamohana.

“I condemn the ASI in clear terms for the delay in the repair of the Jagamohana. The ASI is not paying the kind of importance it should have given to the conservation of Shree Jagannath temple. Despite orders from the Prime Minister, not giving importance is a matter of serious concern. I feel the Central government will pay due attention and importance to the matter. The ASI DG instead of sitting at New Delhi and issuing statements should come down to Puri and oversee the conservation work. He should make a clear statement that the Rath Yatra of the Lords will be conducted smoothly,” said Mohapatra.

Similarly, Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and senior Congress leader Narsingha Mishra also expressed dissatisfaction over the working style of the ASI vis-à-vis repair of the Sri Mandir.

“The ASI is not cooperating in the proper manner. It doesn’t have the sincerity to complete the repair work within a definite time frame. Prof G C Mitra’s resignation is unfortunate. He is not only an engineer; he is a knowledgeable person who has experience in the repair and conservation of Shree Jagannath temple. Chief Minister should not remain satisfied by only writing to the Prime Minister he should discuss the matter with him and find a solution to the problem,” stated Mishra.

“The state government especially the Chief Minister has written strongly to the Prime Minister over the dilly-dallying by the ASI in the repair of Sri Mandir and has stated that this attitude of the ASI towards Lord Jagannath is hurting the sentiments of Odias,” said Pratap Keshari Deb, spokesperson of the BJD.