Odisha Chief Secretary writes to Centre demanding withdrawal of NMA bye-laws

Bhubaneswar, Feb 15: Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra today wrote to the Union Culture secretary, Raghvendra Singh demanding withdrawal of bye-laws issued by National Monument Authority (NMA) for Ananta Basudev and Brahmeswar temples in Bhubaneswar. NMA had earlier published draft notification of heritage bye-laws for Shree Jagannath Temple Puri and Shree Anant Basudev and Shree Brahmeswar temples of Ekamra Kshetra, Bhubaneswar. “There was serious discontentment from sevayats, devotees , people at large and Peoples' Representatives against this publication as these temples host living deities and the publication was done without any consultation with stake holders. In view of this, the heritage bye laws relating to Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri have been withdrawn by NMA. However, draft notification relating to Ekamra Kshetra temples are still in force causing distress to the sevayat community, people at large and devotees,” read the letter. The Chief Secretary further wrote that the Temple Trust Board and Endowment Commissioner have written to the Member Secretary, NMA for immediate withdrawal of the draft notification relating to Ekamra Kshetra. “There have been frequent agitations regarding the non-withdrawal of these draft notifications and there is serious apprehension that this will lead to widespread agitation and disturb the day to day religious rituals in the temples. This kind of atmosphere in temples is bound to hurt the religious sentiments of lakhs of devotees. The largest congregation of devotees in Ekamra Kshetra will happen on March 11th on the occasion of Maha Shiv Ratri festival. It is important to have a peaceful atmosphere and full co-operation of sevayats for conducting this Annual Maha Shivratri festival in which lakhs of devotees from all over the state participate,” added the letter. Mahapatra stated that the State Government strongly recommends immediate withdrawal of the draft heritage bye laws relating to the aforesaid temples. “It is also suggested that NMA may have a stakeholder consultation including sevayats, temple administration and the State Government, on these sensitive temple matters where the living deity and rituals are interlinked. The State Government is committed for constructive cooperation in this regard,” further said the letter.