Bhubaneswar: A day after filing a public interest litigation (PIL) with Orissa High Court in Cuttack seeking the reopening of Ratna Bhandar in Puri Jagannath temple, former state BJP president Samir Mohanty today attacked Odisha government over ‘missing keys’ of the Lord’s treasure.

“Keys of Ratna Bhandar going missing is a dark chapter in the history of the 12th Century shrine. The matter came to the fore in 2018. Since then, Jagannath devotees have been demanding to reopen the Ratna Bhandar. Odisha Government must come forward and ascertain that the ornaments and other valuables kept therein are intact and safe,” the former state BJP president said.

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“Playing with the sentiments and beliefs of the people of Odisha is agonising. State government should form a committee either under the chairmanship of the Governor or led by a sitting Judge. CBI inquiry must be conducted to unravel the mystery behind missing keys. Raghubir Das Commission was previously constituted for the purpose but to no avail. The money spent on the Commission should be recovered from Das as he failed in finding the fact,” the former state BJP president rued.

This is a sensitive issue and it must not be dealt with casually. It is unfortunate that Law Minister Jagannath Saraka has no information on whether the keys of Ratna Bhandar have gone missing or not. The treasure was opened in 1978 by a committee constituted under the chairmanship of erstwhile Governor Shankar Dayal Sharma. Eminent persons like Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, Dr. Radhanath Rath, Nityanand Kanungo and several others were Members of the committee, Samir Mohanty stated.

Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, servitors of Jagannath temple in Puri and devotees including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have voiced for opening the Ratna Bhandar. Is the Government not accountable to the devotees and people of Odisha in this regard?” Mohanty questioned.