Punjab CM urges Naveen not to demolish Mangu Mutt in Odisha’s Puri

Bhubaneswar: It seems tremors of the eviction drive within 75 metre radius of Shreemandir in Puri have been felt in Punjab. In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today urged Odisha government not to demolish Mangu Mutt located near Dolagobinda Sahi in Badadanda of the pilgrim city.

While the world is getting ready to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Odisha government’s plans to demolish the historic Mangu Mutt, the symbol of a link between Jagannath culture and Sikhism, is unfortunate, the Punjab Chief Minister stated.

Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh writes to his Odisha counterpart @Naveen_Odisha, urging the latter to retract his government’s decision to demolish the Mangu Mutt associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) September 14, 2019

Worth mentioning, in 1615, Sikh preacher Bhai Almast had established Mangu Mutt in Puri. The establishment also carries significance for Sikh followers as Guru Tegh Bahadur has visited it in 1670.

Further, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind, Baba Gurditta, had chosen Bhai Almast to disseminate Guru Nanak’s message.

Besides, the Mutt was the abode of the Nanak Panthis, who were primarily responsible for taking Jagannath culture to North India.

The image of Baba Shri Chand, Guru Nanak’s son is kept in the shrine inside the Mutt.

Meanwhile, in his reaction, Puri MP Pinaki Mishra tweeted that the district administration would not demolish the mutt. However, the business establishments located close to the mutt will be razed, he added.

Want to assure Capt. Amrinder Singh that the sacred Math will not be touched. Only the ugly and undesirable commercial structures (as seen in media photo) are being removed. Wrong impression being given by vested interests! pic.twitter.com/tWmP17dQC8

— Pinaki Misra, Puri MP (@OfPinaki) September 14, 2019