Congress demands judicial inquiry into Ratha Yatra fiasco

BHUBANESWAR: Congress has expressed concern over how the sacred Ratha yatra  had taken place in Puri this year. The incident of Lord Balbhadra falling on the temporary ladder has shocked crores of Jagannath devotees around the world how the government tried to play down the incident.

Odisha Pradesh Congress President Sarat Patnaik at a news conference held today at Congress Bhawan said,it is matter of great misfortune that the government had played down this incident by terming it a divine play. Now who is responsible for this incident, questions Sarat Patnaik, the Pradesh Congress Committee President.

 Patnaik has demanded  an inquiry committee under the leadership of a retired justice to bring the real fact to the people.

 Patnaik said,it was the congress who had initiated the agitation for the opening of Ratna Bhandar and counting of Ratna(golden Ornaments)  in the past  launching  Satyagrah during Tulasi yatra and Satyagraha yatra.

 He said the government has failed to control surging crowd in the temple even after opening four doors. Of the temple.He also demanded government should make it clear when the counting of the ratnas(golden ornaments of deities)  will be completed even after it opened ratna bhandar.

 He questioned relating to the combined physical assault of the son of the governor on an assistant section officer(ASO) asking how it is symbolises with Odia Ashmita.

 ”When the protector becomes the oppressor, then law and order situation arises.Law is equal to all. How it is an Odia Ashmita –“when chief minister takes no action on the assault of an ASO when the home portfolio is under him”.

 Speaking on the occasion former PCC chief Prasad Harichandan said never before it happened when deity has fallen down on the charmal this year. He demanded am inquiry committee be constituted under retired High Court justice and give exemplary punishment to those who are responsible behind it.

Odisha Congress demands judicial inquiry into Ratha Yatra fiasco. #OdishaCongress #RathaYatra #LordBalabhadra #SaratPatnaik #PrasadHarichandan #odishanews #DailyOdisha pic.twitter.com/2imW6LDtpH

— Jagdanand Pradhan (@JPradhanINC) July 16, 2024

 Harichandan finally demanded a white paper  taking into account of series of such lapses during the current Ratha Yatra period. He also apprehended that unless Ratna Bhandar is repaired Sri Mandir will be affected and it’s shape  may be altered.

Odisha government trying to play down Puri Ratha Yatra fiasco. #DailyOdisha #SaratPatnaik #OdishaCongress pic.twitter.com/lWpilRtlVh

— Jagdanand Pradhan (@JPradhanINC) July 16, 2024

 Addressing the conference,senior congress leader Bijay Patnaik said that the assault on an ASO by the governor had shocked and dismayed corers of odia people.He regretted that police is silent even after the victim lodged an FIR in the police station.He questioned why the concerned ASO was transferred instead of the culprit is arrested.

 He said, congress has demanded the truth should come out and the culprits should be punished.

 Addressing news men, the Odisha Pradesh Congress media and communication department chairman,Dr. Biswaranjan Mohanty has told congress will continue to launch movement to preserve Odia Ashmita and will fight for the interest of the odia people.

 Among others senior congress leaders jaganth patnik,Ananta Prasad Sethy,Sivanand Ray,sanat das,PCC Spokes Person Sonali Sahoo and manias das Patnaik were present in the news conference.