In a scathing memorandum addressed to the Governor of Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has raised serious allegations regarding the tragic mishandling of this year’s Rath Yatra festival in Puri.
The party highlighted the stampede that left over 750 devotees injured and claimed the lives of three people, blaming the “callous” attitude of the BJP-led state government for the catastrophe.
The memorandum, submitted by BJD representatives, accused the administration of failing to maintain law and order, alleging gross negligence in crowd control and ritual management. According to the BJD, traffic congestion, poor emergency access, and the unregulated distribution of over 10,000 cordon passes to BJP affiliates led to unprecedented chaos.
The party also pointed to alarming incidents of press suppression. Several senior journalists were reportedly assaulted by police personnel and barred from covering the proceedings, raising concerns over press freedom and democratic values.
Further, the BJD criticized deviations from Jagannath Temple traditions, noting that the Nandighosh Rath began its procession at 7:45 PM—violating customary ritual timelines. The absence of a statutory Managing Committee (MC) for eight months, as mandated under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, has also hindered decision-making, the memorandum stated.
The document referenced an unresolved incident from 2024 when Lord Balabhadra’s idol fell from the Taladhwaja Rath. Despite a promised inquiry, no report has been released a year later.
While the state government has announced an administrative inquiry led by the Development Commissioner, the BJD termed it “grossly inadequate.” Instead, the party has demanded a judicial probe monitored by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court and urged the Governor to oversee the remaining Rath Yatra proceedings to restore order and faith.
This development has intensified political discourse in Odisha, with concerns mounting over the sanctity of rituals, public safety, and the government’s administrative competence during one of India’s most revered religious events.
