Baripada: A video clip showing Mayurbhanj MP Biseswar Tudu being denied entry into the inner cordon set up for the Holy Trinity’s chariots during Rath Yatra in Baripada has gone viral on social media. This has created a row as people from several quarters, especially political circles, have pointed out loopholes in the management of the Rath Yatra.
Already, leaders of the ruling BJD as well as the Opposition BJP and Congress have condemned the act. Many other prominent personalities have termed the incident as unfortunate.
Meanwhile, SP Abinash Kumar clarified that issuing passes for the Rath Yatra is the responsibility of the Endowment Department and the district administration has no role to play in it. Nevertheless, he assured to look into the matter and find under which circumstance the MP was denied entry.
Speaking to the media, Tudu said that there should be no politics over Rath Yatra, but the police and the district administration are doing politics over it. “I will take up the issue with the parliamentary committee,” he threatened.
Here, Rath Yatra is celebrated for two days. On the second day (Saturday), some BJP leaders, including MP Biseswar Tudu, Baripada MLA Prakash Soren and BJP district unit president Krushnachandra Mohapatra had gone to the College Chhak to pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath.
However, a police officer in the DSP rank allegedly barred them from entering the inner cordon to pull chariot. As a result, the BJP leaders had to return without pulling the chariot.
Besides, the police officer was also accused of misbehaving with some media persons.
BJP leaders and several others observed that the police and the local administration should take the matter seriously and act against the guilty police.
PNN