Puri, June 17: With a number of correspondences made to the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) authorities to cancel its plan to undertake untimely Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath, resembling with Odisha, the trust yet stands firm on organizing the two traditional rituals abroad.
Despite numbers of appeals and formal letters issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and the deities’ Prime Servitor, Gajapati Maharaj Dibya Sigh Deb, the Iskcon has been lending a deaf ear to the Odisha’s emotional appeal.
Despite a serious note of the Gajapati, sent to the Iskcon’s Chairman Commission, the organisation has made no announcement so far about the withdrawal of its plan for conducting Rath Yatra at the American Legion Park in Houston, USA, on November 9, that deviates the annual festivity of Lord Jagannath in Odisha’s Puri, the world famous Car Festival.
Even after acknowledging the Gajapati’s email in this connection who urged Iskcon’s action to stop the unscriptural Rath Yatra in November instead of June, the schedule yet continues to feature on its website.
Acting on it, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the Gajapati, on behalf of the shrine’s Managing Committee and the Odisha’s Law Department, now resolve to sue the Iskcon to the court of law.
Though the precise legal framework is yet to be cleared, the state government and the two bodies are set to move the Orissa High Court, against the Iskcon, sources said.
Expressing deep concern over the Iskcon’s unethical practices the Gajapati said, “Untimely celebration of Rath Yatra is a complete deviation of the tradition at Puri Shree Jagannath Temple. If they go ahead with their proposed Rath Yatra celebration at Houston, it will hurt crores of devotees of Lord Jagannath across the globe. Our objective is not to mandate a single Rath Yatra but to stop the untimely Rath Yatras being organised in different parts of the world at different times.”
“We have already made them aware of our culture, tradition, and feelings associated with the Jagannath culture. If they don’t stop conducting the untimely Rath Yatras, we will take legal action then. But that will be our last resort”, the Prime Servitor added.
Meanwhile, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan warned the Iskcon of stern action if it proceeds with the untimely Rath Yatra.
