Daitapati Nijog calls emergency meeting after Odisha HC ruling on chariot climbing
Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, June 20:
The Daitapati Nijog, a powerful body of servitors at Odsiha’s Sri Jagannath temple in Puri, which is vehemently opposed to the Jagadguru Shankarachara Swami Nischalanand Saraswati’s ban on devotees climbing the chariot, has convened an emergency meeting of the Nijog today to chalk out their next course of action in view of the Odisha High Court’s order upholding the Puri seer’s stand, sources said.
The president of the Nijog Ramchandra Das Mohapatra told mediapersons here today that the Nijog may challenge the High Court order in the matter and move the Supreme Court against it. However, he said the final decision with regard to their next move would be decided at the general body meeting of the Nijog and after a thorough reading of the court order.
Honourable High Court’s decision is being welcomed by each and every devotee of Lord Jagannath. Now the state government and the Temple Administration should make some standing rules and regulation to maintain discipline on the Chariots during this Rath Yatra. If any intentional delay is done by Daitas in PAHANDI and other rituals of deities during Rath Yatra then the temple administration should take the help of other Sevayats of different Nijogs to avoid the delay or any untoward happenings at any time during Rath Yatra.
It is seen that some Daitas stand near the deity and lean over them and take rest, many of them stand in front of the deities and cover them, these type of acts of Daitas can be restricted by limiting the number of Daitas on the Chariots. Only two or three daitas and other sevayats should be allowed to stay on the Chariots to perform the rituals.
JAYANTA KUMAR DAS(RTI ACTIVIST), 9861770749(M)