Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 2: Alleging his suspension was illegal, suspended priest Jaykrushna Dashmohapatra Sunday demanded an investigation either by the Crime Branch or a judicial commission into the entire Nabakalebara festival – starting right from the selection of ‘daru’ to the sacrosanct Brahma Paribartan ritual.
In June last, following the delay in the Brahma Paribartan ritual, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had suspended Jayakrushna along with Kashinath Dasmohapatra from the Daitapati sect for an indefinite period under Section 21 (B) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954.
Addressing mediapersons here, Jaykrushna maintained he was not guilty. “I have done nothing wrong in the Brahma Paribartan issue. The temple administration suspended us without issuing a show-cause notice and without allowing us to make our stand clear. The government should investigate the entire episode. Only a Crime Branch investigation or a judicial inquiry will unravel the truth,” Jaykrushna said.
As the Brahma Paribartan is a top-secret ritual, it is not possible to reveal the full details of what transpired inside the temple. So, a detailed investigation can expose the identities of the real culprits responsible for the delay,” he said.
The priest also questioned the suspension order of SJAT. “As per the temple’s Record of Rights (RoR), the SJTA cannot suspend us. Only the Mukti Mandap or the Puri Seer can suspend Daitapatis,” Jaykrushna claimed.
The servitor further stated that the temple has around 130 priests. “How can SJTA issue the suspension order based on the statements of only nine priests?” he asked.