Did BJD Submit a Memorandum to Odisha Governor Demanding a Judicial Probe into the Puri Stampede?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant political move, BJD has urged Odisha's Governor for a judicial inquiry into the Puri stampede tragedy, emphasizing the need for accountability and improved management of the revered Rath Yatra festival.
Key Takeaways
- BJD calls for a judicial inquiry into the Puri stampede.
- Three fatalities occurred during the incident on June 29.
- The party criticizes the administrative inquiry initiated by the state government.
- Concerns raised about Rath Yatra management and public safety.
- Press freedom issues highlighted amid police actions against journalists.
Bhubaneswar, July 4 (NationPress) - The leading opposition party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), presented a memorandum to Odisha's Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, on Friday, calling for a judicial investigation overseen by a current High Court judge concerning the tragic stampede that occurred at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple on June 29, resulting in the loss of three lives.
The party expressed its dissatisfaction with the state government's choice to conduct only an administrative inquiry by the Development Commissioner of Odisha into the failures that precipitated the stampede.
“In light of these deeply troubling events, while the State Government has initiated an administrative inquiry, we contend this is woefully insufficient given the gravity of the tragedy. We urgently request the prompt commencement of a judicial investigation, supervised by a sitting judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Orissa, to guarantee full accountability and justice for the victims,” the BJD asserted.
In seeking the Governor's direct intervention, the BJD urged Kambhampati to monitor the remaining activities of the Rath Yatra to avert any further mismanagement and uphold the dignity of this revered festival for devotees and Sevayats.
Through the memorandum, the party highlighted the severe mismanagement and serious lapses that occurred during this year's Rath Yatra, claiming these oversights led to a tragedy of ‘historic proportions’.
“The Biju Janata Dal aims to draw your attention to a series of alarming incidents that transpired during this year’s Rath Yatra, which have profoundly offended the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees worldwide and raised significant concerns regarding the management of this world-famous festival,” the BJD further stated.
The main opposition party also accused the state government, led by the BJP, of negligence, resulting in over 750 injuries and the tragic deaths of three individuals during the stampede near Gundicha Temple.
Furthermore, the BJD condemned the police's heavy-handedness against several prominent journalists, preventing them from reporting on the administrative failures during the Rath Yatra events.
The BJD characterized this as a direct assault on democratic principles and press freedom. It also raised concerns regarding the removal of some servitors from the chariots while performing their customary rites during this year’s Rath Yatra.
“The entire Rath Yatra experienced extreme crowd and traffic mismanagement, leading to bottlenecks, stranded pilgrims, and obstructed emergency services, thereby posing serious risks to public safety.
Moreover, the indiscriminate issuance of over 10,000 cordon passes by the ruling BJP for its affiliates and supporters, far exceeding practical limits, severely disrupted crowd control and directly contributed to this unprecedented tragedy,” alleged the BJD.
In its memorandum, the main opposition party noted that all these management failures, ritual violations, chaos, and the stampede occurred despite multiple preparatory meetings at the Chief Minister’s level and the establishment of an interministerial group headed by Deputy CM Pravati Parida to ensure proper Rath Yatra management.
The BJD also highlighted the ongoing issue of the non-establishment of the Shri Jagannath temple managing committee, which is essential for key administrative and policy decisions at the 12th-century shrine, now unresolved for the past eight months.
Point of View
The call for a judicial inquiry into the Puri stampede by the BJD highlights significant concerns regarding public safety and administrative accountability. It underscores the need for effective management of major events, particularly those of cultural and religious significance. The BJD's demands reflect a broader sentiment for transparency and responsibility in governance, which resonates with citizens' expectations.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What incident prompted the BJD to submit a memorandum?
The BJD submitted a memorandum following a tragic stampede near Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra on June 29, which resulted in three fatalities.
What is the BJD demanding from the Odisha Governor?
The BJD is demanding a judicial inquiry into the stampede, to be overseen by a sitting High Court judge, citing inadequacies in the administrative inquiry announced by the state government.
How did the BJD characterize the state government's response to the incident?
The BJD expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's decision to conduct only an administrative inquiry, calling it insufficient given the severity of the tragedy.
What concerns did the BJD raise regarding the Rath Yatra management?
The BJD raised alarms about severe mismanagement, substantial lapses during the Rath Yatra, and the impact of poor crowd control on public safety.
What additional issues did the BJD highlight in their memorandum?
The BJD highlighted issues related to police actions against journalists, the removal of servitors from chariots, and the lack of a managing committee for the Shri Jagannath temple.
