AP, T’ngana books’ info on Jagannath stokes row

Misleading facts on Lord Jagannath and the Rath Yatra given in textbooks of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have triggered a controversy in Puri with agitated people demanding stern actions against the Iskcon as a prime culprit.

Taking strong exception on the alleged conspiracy against Jagannath culture, the irate people took to the Lions’ Gate, raised voice and burnt photos of Iskcon. They threatened to gear up their stir unless the texts from the books of schools and colleges of two southern States are removed immediately with unconditional apology from Iskcon.

The Jagannath Sena, a city-based outfit, led the protests against Iskcon near the Lions Gate.

The outfit complained that the school and college text books of AP including its neighbour Telangana have contained wrong and misleading information about Rath Yatra and Nabakalebar festival of Lords in Odisha.

In a Press release, it charged that while Rath Yatra is observed once a year, it is mentioned in the books of five times annually.

According to the Sena, the book cites that the Nabakalebar Yatra (incarnation) of deities continues for 65 days which is really 54 days. The book claimed that all the Car festivals being observed across Odisha are conducted by Iskcon only. And the Car festival of the Lords is nothing but a play of Krishna and his sibling Balaram in Brundaban at their young age, write the textbooks in AP and Telangana for its students, informed the Sena.

The release complained that Dr G Radhakrisnan and Dr N Subaraidu on behalf of Jayam Maa Jayam Series Art Education Prakashan spread wrong information among students of both the States on Jagannath Temple. Both persons are agents of the Iskcon, the Sena charged.

Sena convener Priyadarshan Patnaik said that the foreigners in the name of East India Company had ruled India for 200 years and now are spreading wrong facts on Hindu religion remaining under Iskcon banner.

Notably, two years before, the Iskcon had stoked a row for itself when it attempted to build a Jagannath temple on the beach of Puri. Following attempt of the second Jagannath Temple in Puri, the international organisation was strongly opposed by locals with protests and agitations going for a week. Ultimately, under mounting pressure, the Puri administration had cancelled the Iskcon project.