Rath Yatra Mismanagement Sparks Political Outcry in Odisha
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has strongly criticised the state government for repeated mismanagement of the Rath Yatra, alleging negligence and ritual deviations that have compromised the sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s traditions.
OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das condemned the conduct of the chariot procession without the traditional Tahia headgear, calling it a violation of sacred rituals.
He further accused the government of arrogance and insensitivity after three devotees reportedly died and around 150 were injured during the pulling of the chariots, despite surveillance and crowd‑control measures.
Das also linked the mismanagement to unresolved issues such as the Ratna Bhandar mystery, accusing the BJP government of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.
Senior spokesperson Lalatendu Das highlighted that crowd management failures have occurred for three consecutive years, blaming ministerial pride and negligence.
Congress leaders, including Dr Debashish Bhuyan and Jayashree Patra, demanded accountability from temple administrators, strict action against responsible officials, and compensation for victims.
They emphasised that respect for Jagannath traditions must be upheld to restore public faith in the state’s governance of religious events.
