Bhubaneswar: Slamming the state government for razing structures around Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, Wednesday, said the government has turned the “Srikhetra into Kurukshetra”.
Briefing the media here, Mohapatra said, “The state government doesn’t have any Constitutional or legal rights to demolish heritage structures. With several bulldozers and 20 platoons of police force, the administration razed century-old mutts in Puri. The government has turned the Nilachal Dham or Srikhetra into a Kurukshetra.”
Terming the demolition drive ‘illegal’, the BJP leader said the government is saying they have taken the decision as per the recommendations of an interim report of the BP Das Commission. “The Commission has not given its final report so far. No one has any idea about the final report. It has not been made public. The government’s action using that as an alibi is completely illegal,” he said.
He said that he has been observing the government’s action in Puri for the last few days and has found it to be directionless.
“The situation is such as if the government has lost its way. Firstly, the programmes to be undertaken by the government for beautification of Puri and security of the temple will have the support of all. No one will oppose that,” he said, adding that the government seems clueless and has not revealed what exactly it aims to do post this demolition.
During Nabakalebara, the government had spent close to Rs 500 crore for development in Puri. What is the outcome of the plan? Had the project been carried out in a transparent manner, the Grand Road (Badadanda) of the town would not have been flooded after a spell of rain, he said.
“In such mega projects involving crores of rupees, there is chance of rampant corruption. You ask the people to sacrifice their livelihood and at the same time, you loot them. This double standard will not be accepted in any way,” Mohapatra added.
In his reaction, BJD leader and Law Minister Pratap Jena said, “All should welcome the steps to be taken by the state government for the beautification of Puri city and security of Srimandir. There should be no politics over this,” he said.
Jena said that the state government is working on how to make the World famous temple more secure, beautify the area around the temple, make the city more attractive for tourists and make it one of the topmost destinations in every tourist’s list.
“We need everyone’s cooperation in this matter. I would like to thank the people of Puri for their support and cooperation in this matter. People who are trying to do politics over this should refrain from that and rather cooperate for the security of Srimandir and further development of Puri city,” the Minister added.