Puri, Odisha: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Odisha government, accusing it of severe mismanagement during the Rath Yatra in Puri, which led to a tragic stampede-like situation at Saradhabali, resulting in three deaths and over ten injuries. Senior BJD MLA Arun Sahu alleged that the state government’s decision to issue 10,000 to 15,000 cordon passes to BJP workers exacerbated the chaos, disrupting the smooth conduct of the festival.
Sahu claimed that the government’s failure to learn from the previous year’s Rath Yatra mismanagement led to this year’s disaster. He accused the BJP of prioritizing party workers over devotees, stating that the excessive issuance of cordon passes created a bottleneck, contributing to the disorder. The BJD demanded that the Chief Minister, the Governor, and the Gajapati Maharaja apologize to Lord Jagannath and his devotees for the lapses. Sahu further called for strict action against those responsible for distributing fake passes and immediate dismissal of any minister involved in the fiasco.
The Congress party also joined the criticism, labeling the BJP government as disorganized and accusing it of paralyzing administrative protocols. Congress leaders pointed out that the government’s interference in temple affairs, including the incomplete rituals like the Nandighosa chariot not being pulled before sunset and delays in the Ratna Bhandar inventory, reflected its incompetence. They condemned the BJP for undermining the sanctity of the Rath Yatra and failing to uphold Odia cultural values.
Adding to the controversy, senior journalists condemned the alleged assault on media personnel covering the event. Reports indicate that police misbehaved with journalists invited by the state’s Information and Public Relations Department, with some sustaining injuries during the chaos. The BJD highlighted this incident, accusing the government of inviting journalists only to subject them to violence, further fueling public outrage.
The BJD and Congress have demanded accountability, with the BJD urging the Chief Minister or Law Minister to resign on moral grounds for the “unprecedented mismanagement.” BJD’s official handle echoed these sentiments, calling the Rath Yatra a “colossal failure” and accusing the BJP of tarnishing Jagannath culture by prioritizing political interests.
The BJP government, which came to power invoking Odia pride, now faces widespread criticism for hurting the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees. The recurring chaos in the Rath Yatra over the past two years has sparked public discontent, with voices across Odisha condemning the government’s handling of the sacred festival.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan refuted the opposition’s claims, asserting that the Rath Yatra was conducted smoothly and denying that the devotee’s death was due to a stampede, attributing it instead to cardiac arrest. However, the opposition’s walkout from the assembly and public outcry indicate growing dissatisfaction with the government’s response.
This incident has intensified political tensions in Odisha, with the BJD and Congress vowing to continue their protests against the BJP’s alleged negligence and mismanagement of one of the state’s most revered cultural events.
