BJD Demands Judicial Probe Into Puri Rath Yatra Tragedy

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths of devotees during the Puri Rath Yatra on July 16, accusing the BJP-led Odisha government of gross mismanagement.

Senior leaders Sanjay Kumar Das Burma and Dr Lenin Mohanty alleged that the administration is suppressing facts, including the actual number of casualties and injuries.

While Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling claimed the deaths were due to heart attacks and suffocation, BJD leaders pointed to post-mortem reports and statements from the Chief District Medical Officer suggesting stampede-related fatalities and over 350 injuries.

The party has called for the resignation of both the Health Minister and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, citing administrative failure.

It also demanded the release of reports from previous Rath Yatra-related inquiries and criticised the pulling of chariots after sunset, calling it a violation of tradition.

BJD leaders accused the “double-engine government” of bringing disrepute to Odisha and hurting the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees worldwide.