Servitors put up posters near the north gate of the Shree Jagannath Temple here on Friday opposing the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s (SJTA) direction to them to use feature phones provided by it.
At least 20 servitors signed in the posters and appealed to fellow servitors not to collect the feature phones provided by the SJTA. Some servitors said if they already possess feature phones without cameras, why they should again purchase a phone from the SJTA shelling out Rs 1,200.
Besides, a number of their family members also work as servitors in the temple. Purchasing phones for all them would be a costly affair.
They also said why devotees would be allowed to carry phones without cameras.
Recently, the SJTA banned the use of smart phones and camera phones inside the 12th century shrine for one and all amid reports that several photos of Shreemandir interiors had gone viral on social media.
However, the SJTA has allowed servitors to carry recognised feature phones or non-camera phones inside the temple.
Sources said, a few servitors have collected the phones by submitting identity proofs and money at the SJTA office.