Odisha: Bada Akhada mutt pulled down in Puri

BHUBANESWAR: Unfazed by criticism from different quarters, the Puri district administration on Sunday started demolishing 14th century Bada Akhada mutt near Jagannath Temple.
The administration had suspended the mutt's demolition on September 3 following strong protests by saints and seers.
The demolition, however, did not witness any protest or trouble on Sunday. The district administration pulled down the mutt a day after amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar backed the state government's ongoing eviction drive within 75m-radius of the temple for creation of a security zone.
"It may take two days to demolish the mutt. A Hanuman temple existing inside the mutt will not be razed. The mutt authorities cooperated with the administration in demolishing the structure," said Puri additional district magistrate Binay Kumar Dash.
While the mutt's Mahant Harinarayan Das was not available for comment, his disciples were pained at seeing the rubble of the historic and heritage mutt that had been supplying fruits, flowers and other materials for preparation of bhog at the Jagannath Temple for centuries. "We had no other option than surrendering meekly before the administration. The administration has assured to redevelop the mutt at another place. But the administration cannot replicate the heritage and historic values in the proposed structure," said Ananta Das, a disciple of the mutt.
Official sources said at least 30 disciples, who were learning Veda Purana and Sanskrit at the mutt, have been displaced.
"We will miss the religious ambience. My three-year memories with the mutt abruptly came to an end," said Kabisurya Das, another disciple. At least 36 shops, Singhadwar police station and a fire station, located on the mutt's premises, have been pulled down.
Bada Akhada is the third mutt to have been demolished after Languli and Emar within the temple security zone. Though no physical protests erupted on Sunday, a number of Mahants and locals expressed their displeasure over the demolition drive. "We are also shocked at the observations made by the amicus curiae and solicitor general. The amicus curiae should have discussed with Mahants, who are the worst affected," read a statement.
On Sunday, the Congress and BJP targeted the state government for allegedly failing to take care of the displaced families and mutts. "We will stage protests unless the government stops the demolition drive. Mutts are the pride and identity of Odisha. Government should preserve the mutts,"said Congress MLA Suresh Rautray.
BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said the government should have rehabilitated the displaced families before throwing them out of their houses and shops. Harichandan said, "Destruction of the mutt culture set a bad precedent." BJD spokesperson Subash Chauhan described the remarks of the opposition parties as politically motivated. "The government is committed to preserve and redevelop the mutts. Special rehabilitation and resettlement plans are already announced by the government," Chauhan said.