One day ahead of Rath, all eyes on SC move today

Bhubaneswar: BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Sunday filed an application in the Supreme Court praying for Rath Yatra to be held with restrictions, adding to the raft of petitions filed regarding the chariot festival in Puri.
At least 15 applications have been filed in the Supreme Court by individuals, religious bodies and private organisations, with an appeal to modify its June 18 order and allow Rath Yatra to be held on Tuesday in a restricted manner. But Patra’s petition assumes significance as several BJP leaders have been demanding the car festival to go ahead sans devotees.
“Today I filed an application for clarification/modification of earlier order of SC and sought permission for the Holy Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu in Puri scheduled for 23rd June. Hope all our prayers are answered by the Lord of the Universe,” tweeted Patra, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 elections from Puri Lok Sabha seat.
The development coincided with Puri’s BJP MLA Jayant Sarangi asking for a restricted Rath Yatra. On Sunday, Sarangi wrote letters to governor Ganeshi Lal and chief minister Naveen Patnaik and sought the duo’s immediate intervention to file review petitions in the Supreme Court. BJP state president Samir Mohanty, who had earlier supported the Supreme Court order, on Sunday said the government should take steps to ensure that the Rath Yatra takes place as per schedule on Tuesday even as Congress also upped the ante.
“Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra is not just a festival for Odias, it's an intrinsic part of our life. Whatever may be the decision of the Supreme Court, the rituals, culture and traditional practices of the Jagannath Temple must be upheld at any cost. Unfortunately, the Odisha government wakes up only when the crisis hits a peak. The government must initiate a discussion with stakeholders and find a way to preserve our traditions. Otherwise, history will not forgive it,” Congress state president Niranjan Patnaik tweeted.
The state government continued to remain tight-lipped on the growing public outcry. The BJD asked the opposition parties to refrain from politicizing the Supreme Court order and Rath Yatra. “The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petitions on Monday. We should wait,” a BJD spokesperson said.
Puri, which is normally a hive of activity during this time of the year, seems to be in a despondent mood. Locals are waiting for Monday’s Supreme Court hearing.