Puri: Supreme Court appointed amicus curiae on Srimandir reforms, Ranjit Kumar, is scheduled to visit the Holy City February 23 to hold discussions with the temple administration, servitors and other stakeholders of the 12th century shrine.
“The amicus curiae would talk to officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), members of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and representatives of shrine servitors February 23,” said SJTA public relations officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda.
According to sources, the temple administration and various servitors’ groups have started preparation to convey their views on various reform measures suggested by the apex court for Srimandir. “In its interim order on Srimandir, the SC had suggested 12 reform measures for the shrine. We would produce a report on the implementation of these reform measures before the amicus curiae,” said a source in the SJTA.
It is learnt that the servitors would plead for continuation of their hereditary rights at Srimandir while interacting with the amicus curiae. Notably, the SC had suggested the SJTA to abolish hereditary rights of servitors as part of the temple reforms. “We would explain the unique traditions of Srimandir to Kumar and produce certain documents before him in support of our plea,” said a senior servitor.
Senior advocate Priya Hingorani, who has been appointed by the Supreme Court to assist amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar, arrived at the city Tuesday.
According to sources, Hingorani would hold discussions with some servitors’ groups for implementation of reform measures at Srimandir. “Some servitors’ groups have registered themselves as parties to the case on Srimandir in the SC. Hingorani would collect written statements from these groups. She would also collect information on the tradition and culture of Srimandir,” said a source.
It is worth mentioning here that the SC had earlier appointed senior advocate Gopal Subramanium as the amicus curiae on a case pertaining to Srimandir reforms. Subramanium had visited the city, last year and consulted the stakeholders of the shrine for two days. Citing some personal reasons, Subramanium had withdrawn himself as amicus curiae November 25.