By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Much to the delight of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev, Puri Seer Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and SJTA Chief Administrator , Dr Krishan Kumar,the Supreme Court on Tuesday made it clear that the annual Rath Jatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings will be conducted only in Puri and no such activities will be allowed anywhere in Odisha.
The case was heard by a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana. The Bench said the Supreme Court hopes and trusts God will allow Rath Jatra at least. The Supreme Court has dismissed all applications filed to conduct the Rath Jatra in other places apart from Puri Jagannath temple.
“I also feel bad but we can’t do anything about it. Hope god will allow next Rath Yatra. I also want to go to Puri since last one and a half years but I don’t. I worship at home,”CJI said.
Attorney General Ashok Parija representing state of Odisha said, “Puri is ‘different’. Conditions imposed for Ratha Jatra in Puri cannot be implemented across the State.”“Chariot is pulled by 500 people, who undergo RT-PCR test. How will the state ensure all these conditions in other parts?,” the AG argued.
High Court had rejected pleas filed to allow conduct of the annual Jatra at Kendrapara and Bhatli in Bargarh district. The High Court (HC) refused to intervene in the State Government’s decision to allow the car festival of Lord Jagannath only in Puri this year.
Besides, prohibitory orders under Section-144 will be imposed in Bada Danda to maintain law and order. The entire pilgrim town will be divided into 12 zones (Bada Danda into four zones).Even residents of houses and buildings alongside Bada Danda (Grand Road) will not be allowed to watch the car festival of Lord Jagannath from their terrace.
People will be not allowed to witness the festival from terrace and balcony of 41 lodges and dharmasalas and around 230 houses located alongside Bada Danda as it comes under the purview of curfew restrictions. All lodges and Dharmasalas will be vacated from July 10.
