Javadekar jumps into Odisha temple row; says govt should not interfere

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Puri, July 4:

Union minister for Environment and Forests and Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar has jumped headlong into the ongoing row over the Shankaracharya’s refusal to climb the chariots, as ordained by tradition, saying government should not interfere in religious affairs.

“In a secular country, the government should not interfere in the religious matters of any community,” Javadekar said in a scarcely veiled attack on the Odisha government on his arrival in the temple town today.

“Conventions and traditions must be observed in religious matters,” he said.

The minister said it would not be possible on his part to meet the Puri seer this time because of his tight schedule, but he would certainly try and meet him at a later date.

The minister had a darshan of the deities at the Sri Gundicha temple.