Servitors hint at non-cooperation during Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: Servitors of Jagannath Temple, Puri, hinted at non-cooperation ahead of Rath Yatra scheduled for June 27, citing concerns over delayed formation of the temple's managing committee (MC), which is responsible for temple-related policy decisions. The previous 18-member managing committee's three-year tenure ended on Sept 3, 2024.

Senior servitor Ramachandra Dasmohapatra expressed concern that Rath Yatra preparations are being hindered without the MC, whose authorisation is essential for finalising ritual schedules. "On Wednesday, the Chhatisa Nijog (confederation of associations of servitors) finalised the schedules of Rath Yatra rituals. As per the Jagannath Temple Act 1954, the MC is the appropriate authority to approve the Rath Yatra guidelines. We will not follow any guidelines that are not approved by the MC," Dasmohapatra told media persons.

He criticised the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for its failure to convince the govt regarding the delayed MC formation. "The SJTA is not making any efforts to convince the law department about the sensitive matter. The govt too is silent for the last eight months," said Dasmohapatra.

Senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra cautioned about possible significant disruptions in rituals and coordination during Rath Yatra without the managing committee. He noted this unprecedented situation in the temple's administrative history, where the MC has remained unformed for eight months. "We all want smooth conduct of Rath Yatra. SJTA officials are not taking servitors into confidence and want to conduct Rath Yatra without forming the MC. This attitude may trigger non-cooperation between servitors and administration, affecting Rath Yatra rituals," said Dasmohapatra.

SJTA indicated that the MC formation proposal awaits govt approval. "We are waiting for the govt's instruction. In Chhatisa Nijog, we sought cooperation of servitors," SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Padhee told media persons after the meeting on Wednesday evening.

The temple authorities clarified that while the chief administrator is currently using extraordinary powers under the Temple Act for daily management decisions, these decisions will receive retrospective approval once the MC is established.