The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging serious lapses in the management of this year’s Rath Yatra and disregard for the sentiments of millions of devotees.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan, OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das said the government had “stripped the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s rituals” through repeated mismanagement over the past three years. He claimed that the Lord’s chariot procession was conducted without the traditional Tahia headgear — a sacred custom followed for centuries — and demanded accountability from temple administrators.
Das remarked, “After exploiting the name of Lord Ram, their eyes are now set on Lord Jagannath. The administration has failed to protect the dignity of the rituals.” He urged Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee to express regret for the deviation and called for a probe into the lapses.
The Congress leader also criticised the government’s crowd‑control failure, noting that despite high‑tech surveillance and extensive planning, three devotees died and around 150 were injured during the chariot‑pulling. He described the Health Minister’s denial of the incident as “inhuman and irresponsible.”
Das accused the BJP government of arrogance and insensitivity, saying, “They looted donations and ornaments in the name of Ram Temple, and now they are targeting our Lord Jagannath. The mystery of the Ratna Bhandar remains unresolved.” He demanded strict action against officials and ministers responsible for the repeated mismanagement and urged immediate compensation for the victims.
Senior spokesperson Lalatendu Das added that the government had failed in crowd management for three consecutive years, citing deaths and injuries during previous Rath Yatras. He blamed ministerial pride and administrative negligence for the recurring chaos.
The press meet was attended by Dr Debashish Bhuyan and Jayashree Patra, who echoed the demand for accountability and respect for Jagannath traditions.
