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Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Rath Yatra deaths put his govt in a spot, Odisha CM says ‘Puri municipality unable to meet aspirations of devotees'
Under Opposition fire over the Rath Yatra arrangements in Puri and the stampede outside the Gundicha Temple which claimed three lives, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Friday announced a series of measures for the temple town and set the ball rolling for 'reforms in the civic administration system'. A day before the Bahuda Yatra (return festival), CM Majhi said that the Puri town, now a municipality, will be upgraded as a municipal corporation (greater civic body) to ensure better urban amenities for the people coming to the town. 'I personally feel that the Puri Municipality is not able to stand up to the aspirations of lakhs of devotees coming to the town and the residents of Puri. There is a need for reforms in the civic administration system and to introduce a new system. Hence, our government has decided to develop Puri as a municipal corporation by merging around seven to eight gram panchayats near the town,' Majhi said. The process to start the upgradation of Puri town was announced immediately by the government. Puri, one of the four dhams (seats) in Hinduism, is home to over six lakh people and attracts thousands of devotees from across the country and globally. The chief minister also announced the setting up of Shri Jagannath Museum, Library and Culture Research Centre in Puri for propagation of Jagannath culture. Majhi underlined that no effort was made in the past seven decades to popularise the Jagannath culture and historical significance associated with it and make Puri a better tourism centre. 'Our government has a target to develop Puri as a major tourism and pilgrimage centre in the country,' Majhi said. Facing criticism over poor crowd management during Gundicha Yatra on June 27, delay in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath and the stampede, the Majhi government's announcement is seen as an attempt to showcase its commitment for the temple town, which has always been the focus of successive governments because of its religious significance. The previous Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, in its fifth and last term, had announced a raft of measures for Puri, including the ambitious Parikrama Project around the 12th century Jagannath Temple. For smooth and hassle-free conduct of Bahuda Yatra of the deities on Saturday, the state administration has been put on high alert. Senior officers, made in-charges to oversee Rath Yatra-related issues, have been camping in the temple town over the past few days. 'Whatever arrangements are required for Bahuda Yatra have been made accordingly. I urge the people coming to Puri to adhere to the advisories issued by the administration,' said Director General of Police Y B Khurania. Police sources said massive security and traffic arrangements are also in place for the Suna Besha (golden attire of the deities) on Sunday, a ritual of the Rath Yatra that attracts the highest number of people.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Puri Rath Yatra stampede puts BJP on back foot as BJD, Congress raise storm
While the BJP government in Odisha claims to have taken 'swift action' following Sunday's stampede during the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri that claimed three lives, the incident seems to have jolted the party days after it went all out to celebrate its first year in power. While BJP insiders admit that the incident has dented the government's image and has led to the party putting off the election of its state chief, the Mohan Charan Majhi dispensation has also come under fire from the Opposition. 'A high-level committee of ministers headed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida was constituted to oversee (Rath Yatra) preparations. Has anyone seen the panel members on the ground? Are they not responsible for the mess? Why has action not been taken against them?' an Opposition leader asked. A smooth conduct of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri has traditionally been seen in Odisha as public validation for successive governments. During a review meeting with the administration on June 22, the Majhi government directed that the Rath Yatra must be 'incident-free'. The Majhi government, which barely had a month last year to prepare for the annual event, pulled out all stops this year and started preparations for the 'memorable event' barely a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally on June 22 in Bhubaneswar, where he said that the BJP government was completing one year in power while the state was gearing up for the Rath Yatra. Last Friday, the BJP government came under attack for the delay in pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath, which only moved a few metres before the day ended. It also came under attack for 'lapses' in crowd management that left over 200 devotees ill. As per tradition, in the Rath Yatra, also known as Gundicha Yatra, the Lord along with his siblings – elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra – embark on a nine-day sojourn from their 12th century shrine to the Gundicha Temple, their birthplace, covering a distance of around 3 km. After a ceremonial procession called 'Pahandi', the deities are taken to the Gundicha Temple on three large chariots, where they stay till the 'Bahuda Yatra' (return car festival), which is scheduled for July 5 this year. Millions of people join the procession to pull the chariots. BJD chief and ex-CM Naveen Patnak, who is now Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, took to social media to slam the government's 'incompetence' in conducting the Puri Rath Yatra. 'The stampede, which occurred just a day after the abysmal failure to manage crowds during the Rath Yatra, exposes the government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for the devotees,' he said in an X post on Sunday. Calling the incident a 'man-made disaster', the Congress slammed the Majhi government, accusing it of 'prioritising VVIP movements during the event over safety of common people'. Despite attacks from the Opposition, state law minister Prithviraj Harichandran tried to justify the delay claiming 'everything happens according to the Lord's wish'. After the procession reached the Gundicha Temple, Harichandran said the Yatra had been 'incident-free'. Hours after his remarks, a swelling crowd advanced towards the chariots around 4 am on Sunday leading to a stampede. Making matters worse, two vehicles carrying materials for the rituals entered the spot. Eyewitnesses said the ensuing 'chaos' lasted for 20 minutes, claiming there were no policemen or senior officials to help the devotees. With no system in place for ambulances to move freely, relatives of the devotees pulled out the injured from the crowd and shifted them to hospitals. 'My wife and others would have been saved had there been arrangements for the smooth movement of ambulances,' said the husband of a deceased woman. Almost immediately after the stampede, CM Majhi ordered an administrative probe, shunted out the Collector and SP of Puri and suspended two senior police officers for 'dereliction of duty'. He also apologised to the devotees, indicating the sensitivity of the issue. A major administrative shake-up has also been initiated with a senior bureaucrat and a police officer, who have prior experience of handling the Rath Yatra, being roped in to supervise the remaining event. The move is being seen as the government's effort to restore the people's faith in the administration. While the probe is scheduled to be completed in a month, preliminary reports suggest lack of coordination between administrative wings, poor planning by the police and deploying inexperienced officers to manage the situation led to the incident. State BJP chief Manmohan Samal expressed concern over the incident but said the state government 'took the right decision at the right time'. 'We will be careful to ensure that such incidents do not recur,' he said.
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- India Gazette
Odisha: Security tightened in Mayurbhanj after Puri Rath Yatra stampede
Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): The Mayurbhanj district administration has intensified security and surveillance measures following the stampede during Rath Yatra in Puri on Sunday morning, which left three people dead and several others injured. Speaking to ANI, Pravat Kumar Mallick, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Baripada, said, 'We have intensified security, installed over 100 cameras, and set up three control rooms. Additonally, the police have increased personnel, deployed drones for aerial surveillance, and implemented strict traffic arrangements to manage the massive crowd.' The second phase of the Baripada Rath Yatra in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district resumed on Sunday, drawing thousands of devotees to the streets as the sacred chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath continued their journey. Steeped in devotion and distinguished by tradition, the Baripada Rath Yatra, also known as the Dwitiya Srikhetra in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, began on Saturday, a day after Rath Yatra in Puri. The Baripada Rath Yatra, celebrated a day after Jagannath Puri's Gundicha Yatra, features a unique tradition where women exclusively pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra. This year, the pulling of the sacred chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath began on Saturday. The second phase of the chariot journey resumed on Sunday. Devotees thronged the streets, and the atmosphere turned electric with traditional music, rituals, and spiritual fervour. Thousands of women, dressed in traditional attire, came forward to participate, reflecting a harmonious blend of devotion and empowerment. As the three majestic wooden chariots settled at their final destination, Baripada reaffirmed its place as a vibrant cultural heartland, where faith meets tradition, and women take the lead on sacred ground. Meanwhile, the Odisha police reported a heavy influx of vehicles towards Puri on Sunday morning.'Today, on June 29, 2025, since early morning, there has been a very heavy inflow of vehicles towards Puri. Citizens may face a waiting time of more than 2 hours. This should be considered when planning to visit Puri,' posted Odisha Police on X. Earlier in the day, Odisha Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for negligence of duty following the stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three people and injured 6-7 others. The incident occurred during the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, as overcrowding led to the unfortunate demise of three devotees. Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased devotee. The Chief Minister ordered a detailed administrative inquiry under the supervision of the Development Commissioner and instructed the transfer of the District Collector and SP. Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, while Pinak Mishra has taken charge as the new Superintendent of Police. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that Rath Yatra is a source of pride for Odisha and assured strict action against those responsible for the mishap. He emphasised that such incidents must not recur, ensuring the safety and sanctity of the festival in the future. During the annual Rath Yatra, a massive crowd of devotees pull the holy chariots of the three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra, which are taken to the Gundicha Temple, a short distance from the Jagannath Temple. The three deities spend a week at the Gundicha Temple before returning to Jagannath Temple. This year, the Rath Yatra commenced on Friday. (ANI)
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- India Gazette
Odisha: Second phase of Baripada Rath Yatra begins amid devotion and tradition
Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): The second phase of the Baripada Rath Yatra in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district resumed on Sunday, drawing thousands of devotees to the streets as the sacred chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath continued their journey. Steeped in devotion and distinguished by tradition, the Baripada Rath Yatra, also known as the Dwitiya Srikhetra in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, began on Saturday, a day after Rath Yatra in Puri. The Baripada Rath Yatra, celebrated a day after Jagannath Puri's Gundicha Yatra, features a unique tradition where women exclusively pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra. This year, the pulling of the sacred chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath began on Saturday. The second phase of the chariot journey resumed on Sunday. Devotees thronged the streets, and the atmosphere turned electric with traditional music, rituals, and spiritual fervour. Thousands of women, dressed in traditional attire, came forward to participate, reflecting a harmonious blend of devotion and empowerment. As the three majestic wooden chariots settled at their final destination, Baripada reaffirmed its place as a vibrant cultural heartland, where faith meets tradition, and women take the lead on sacred ground. Meanwhile, the Odisha police reported a heavy influx of vehicles towards Puri on Sunday morning. 'Today, on June 29, 2025, since early morning, there is a very heavy inflow of vehicles towards Puri. Citizens may face a waiting time of more than 2 hours. This should be considered when planning to visit Puri,' posted Odisha Police on X. Earlier in the day, Odisha Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for negligence of duty following the stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three people and injured 6-7 others. The incident occurred during the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, as overcrowding led to the unfortunate demise of three devotees. Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased devotee. The Chief Minister ordered a detailed administrative inquiry under the supervision of the Development Commissioner and instructed the transfer of the District Collector and SP. Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, while Pinak Mishra has taken charge as the new Superintendent of Police. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that Rath Yatra is a source of pride for Odisha and assured strict action against those responsible for the mishap. He emphasised that such incidents must not recur, ensuring the safety and sanctity of the festival in the future. During the annual Rath Yatra, a massive crowd of devotees pull the holy chariots of the three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra, which are taken to the Gundicha Temple, a short distance from the Jagannath Temple. The three deities spend a week at the Gundicha Temple before returning to Jagannath Temple. This year, the Rath Yatra commenced on Friday. (ANI)
United News of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha Congress demands judicial probe into Puri Rath Yatra "mismanagement"
Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Prasad Harichandan today demanded a judicial inquiry by the sitting District Judge of Puri to investigate the alleged "chaos and mismanagement" during this year's Rath Yatra in the temple town of Puri. Harichandan said the judicial inquiry should be announced within ten days after Niladri Bije, along with appropriate action against those responsible. He pointed out that for the first time in 53 years, the chariot pulling was synchronised to occur on a single day, combining Nabajoubana Darshan, Netrotsav, and the Gundicha Yatra on June 27. "Rath Yatra has been celebrated for over 1,200 years. On many occasions in the past, the chariot pulling and the arrival of all three chariots at the Gundicha Temple were completed on a single day," Harichandan said. However, he added, this year, the chariots Taladhwaja and Darpadalana failed to reach their destination, while Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, barely moved — only enough to maintain tradition. 'So, the big question is — why was the chariot pulling halted, and for whom?' he asked. Harichandan referred to media reports ahead of the Rath Yatra that claimed industrialist Gautam Adani would visit Puri, pull the chariot, and partake in temple rituals. However, Adani did not arrive in Puri on the day of the Yatra. The Congress leader questioned whether the pulling of the chariots was deliberately postponed to the next day just for him. Reacting to the statement of Sri Jagannath Temple's Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhi — who had said, 'Perhaps some devotees did not turn up, so Nandighosha didn't move' — Harichandan said the comment was 'shocking and painful.' He alleged that this year, the entire management of Rath Yatra was handed over to the ruling party. Political event managers replaced government officials, scheduled timings were altered arbitrarily, and a two-hour delay occurred between the Pahandi (procession) and Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping). Referring to last year's incident, Harichandan recalled that Lord Balabhadra's chariot had met with an accident during the Pahandi at the Gundicha Temple while descending the Charamala. No cause was identified, and no action was taken. 'This year, Taladhwaja faced a delay in turning southward, and around 750 people were injured in the crowd crush on Rath Yatra day,' he said. He further alleged that despite objections from the Director General of Police, a private agency named 'IG Drone' was given control of the Closed-Circuit Integrated Command System for the Rath Yatra. Citing a serious security lapse, Harichandan claimed that Priyanka, a female friend of Jyoti Malhotra — who is allegedly linked to ISI — was seen inside the secured cordon zone. 'How did she manage to enter such a high-security area, right in front of the District Collector?' he questioned. The Congress leader also alleged that more than 5,000 entry passes were distributed, leading to widespread allegations of irregularities, discrimination and selective discretion on the part of the Puri District Collector. He pointed out that the Rath Yatra is being conducted in the absence of a formally constituted Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. Although Gajapati Maharaj has repeatedly raised this concern and even met the Chief Minister over the issue, no concrete action has been taken. 'The Law Minister has now claimed the matter is sub-judice, conveniently shirking responsibility,' he added. Harichandan further alleged there is a complete lack of coordination between the temple administration, the state government, and the servitors (sebayats). UNI DP SSP
