BJD Alleges Mismanagement of Habishyalis in Puri, Targets BJP Government

The BJD alleged that thousands of Habishyali women, who travel to Puri every year to observe the holy Kartik Brata and perform religious rituals, are facing difficulties due to inadequate accommodation, food, healthcare and darshan facilities.

The party described the situation as an administrative failure that has caused hardship to devotees participating in one of Odisha’s most revered religious traditions.

Addressing the issue, BJD media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty criticised the state government for what he termed poor planning and execution of arrangements for the pilgrims.

He claimed that several devotees have been left without proper shelter and are struggling to access essential services during their stay in Puri.

The opposition party further alleged that many unregistered Habishyalis have been forced to stay in open spaces due to limited accommodation and strict registration procedures.

While the district administration has reportedly arranged facilities for around 2,400 registered devotees, the BJD claimed that numerous elderly women remain outside the official support system.

Drawing comparisons with previous administrations, the BJD asserted that comprehensive facilities had been provided to Habishyali devotees in earlier years and demanded immediate intervention from the government to address the concerns.

The party urged the state government to establish additional temporary accommodation centres, strengthen healthcare and food services, improve transportation and darshan arrangements, and ensure that no devotee is deprived of assistance because of registration-related issues.

The issue has now emerged as a fresh flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, with both religious welfare and administrative accountability becoming key subjects of public debate in Odisha.