Puri, Sep 5 (UNI) Putting at rest all speculation, the Puri district administration on Thursday resumed operation amid tight security demolishing the structures within 75 meter radius of the MeghnadPrachir(wall) of the 12th century Sri Jagannath temple here . The demolition process was discontinued for four days due to Ganesh Puja and also protest by Naga sadhus opposing the state government ‘s action in demolishing ancient mutts around the Jagannath temple The remaining commercial shops in the Emar mutt complex were razed to the ground today but the Mahant of the mutt is still defiant to vacate his dilapidated twelve rooms inside the mutt complex On the other hand beautification of the demolished area after clearing the debris was taken up at Nanguli and Emar mutts. The next building of Bada Akhada mutt would be demolished, an official said but refused to reveal the date.
Mahant Harinarayan Das of Bada Akhada mutt has shifted all furniture and assets from the mutt while shop operating from mutt also have shifted their stock. Puri District Collector Balwant Singh had made it clear that all structures coming within the 75 metre radius zone would be demolished. In case of mutts, the unsafe buildings and commercial establishments would be demolished while the deity, temple in mutt, Gaadi (seat of religious head), kitchen and a living room for the Mahant would not be demolished, the Collector clarified and said the mutt would be relocated at another place .
Meanwhile, the politicians one after another have started opposing the demolition of mutts on the ground that these mutts have religious and functional connection with Sri Jagannath temple. A fifteen member delegation of Srikshetra Surakshya Sammittee led by local legislator Jayant Kumar Sarangi met the collector on Wednesday and pleaded to stop the demolition . The Collector, he said had assured them to have one to one discussion with mahants to address their individual grievances before demolition of their mutts. Senior BJP leader Bijay Mahapatra has condemned the demolition of mutts describing the government action as unconstitutional and illegal. The state government, he said had turned the “Srikhetra into Kurukhetra” with a battle field like situation prevailing at the demolition site.
BJP National Spokesman Sambit Patra today discussed the situation with Mahant Harinarayan Das of Bada Akhada mutt and Puri Sankaracharya Swamy Nischalananda Saraswati of Puri Gobardhan mutt. Meanwhile, former Union Steel Minister Braj Kishore Tripathy came down heavily on the state government and compared the demolition process of the the administration to that of national emergency imposed in the country during the Congress rule. He alleged that the state government had flouted all norms laid down for acquisition of land for public purpose. Mr Tripathy too pointed out that there was no recommendation from any authoritative agency or body to clear 75 meters radius distance from Meghnad prachir for the security of temple and beautification. On the pretext of security and beautification the administration, he said was destroying the cultural heritage and religious bearings of mahants and devotees .
The demolition of structures also violates the fundamental and human rights laid down in the constitution, Mr Tripathy remarked The former Union Minister demanded the administration to stop demolition drive and said he would meet the amicus curiae appointed by the Apex court who is arriving here tomorrow to inspect the demolition work undertaken by the state government.
