Shreemandir row: Assembly stalled for 2nd day

The State Assembly was stalled for the second consecutive day on Wednesday over the irregularities in conduct of rituals in the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.

As the House met, Opposition Congress members trouped into the Well of the House and kept demanding early solution to the impasse in the temple. They alleged that the deities haven't been offered Mahaprasad for the last two days.

Unable to run the House, Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat adjourned the House till 11.30 am. As the Opposition members rushed into the Well again, Amat convened an all-party meeting and adjourned the House till 12.50 pm.

When the House reassembled, Amat directed the Law Minister to make a statement on the issue at 4 pm and declared the House adjourned till that time.

At 4 pm, the Speaker said the Minister has not been able to make a statement due to some unavoidable reasons and would make the statement at 5 pm.

In his Statement, Minister Pratap Jena refuted the charge of Opposition members that Lords in the Shreemandir were kept on fasting.

“The deities have not been kept on full-fasting, but it is true that conduct of rituals has been delayed,” said the Minister.

As per the direction of the High Court, the Jagamohan was reopened on April 16, 2018 for devotees. Some rituals were conducted late as the day was an Amabasya tithi needing some special rituals. SJTA officials held discussions with Sevayats and all required steps had been taken, he said.

On April 17 (Tuesday), Mangala Aalati, Mailam, Tadapalagi, Abakash etc rituals were conducted. But due to delay occurred on April 16, 7/8 truckloads of unoffered cooked items had to be taken out from the kitchen room and, hence, Roshahoma (cooking of Mahaprasad) was delayed and done at 10.50 pm and thereafter all rituals were conducted.

However, the Minister said that Bhoga Puja at Bhogamandap was not conducted and sale of Mahaprasad and advanced Bhog could not be done due to noncooperation of Supakars (temple cooks).

After the Minister’s statement, normalcy restored in the House and discussion on Demands for Grants relating to the Works Department was held. Expenditure of Rs 4267,87,57,000 was passed following the discussion.