Civil body demands CBI probe into Nabakalebara fiasco

-- To begin awareness campaign in State from July 14 

BHUBANESWAR: Shri Jagannath Sanskruti Suraksha Manch (SJSSM), a social organisation, on Saturday demanded CBI probe into the gross mismanagement by the State Government and the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) during Nabakalebara festival. 

Manch conveners Dr Laxmikanta Dash and Dr Prafulla Kumar Ratha said the disturbances created starting from selection of daru to ghata parivartan (transfer of bramha of deities) have deeply hurt the sentiments and agitated the minds of the devotees throughout the country. 

Dash said the Crime Branch probe to investigate Brahma photos on social networking websites is eyewash. It was designed to mislead people of the State and to divert their attention from the real blunder made by the State Government and the SJTA. 

The Manch members said the temple should be free from all Government interference and all the functions and rituals should be guided by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Mukti Mandap Pandita Sabha for maintaining the sanctity and discipline of the temple. 

The members also urged the State Government to amend the RoR of the Shree Jagannath Temple to streamline the services and rituals of the Lord inside the temple. 

The Manch would conduct Hanuman Chalisha chanting on July 14 to make aware people about the gross management which has taken place in the Nabakalebara festival. “If the State Government doesn’t fulfill their demands, the will take the issue to the streets,” said Dash.