Bhubaneswar, May 19 : Taking a swipe at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) over delay in repair work of Jagmohan at world famous Jagannath temple in Puri, Cooperative & Excise Minister Dr Damodar Rout said that safety of the shrine is everyone’s duty.
“Shree Jagannath temple is the heartbeat of entire Odia race. The religious sentiment of crores of Odia people is associated with the shrine. The maintenance of the temple has been handed over to the ASI, which is delaying the repair work of Jagmohan prayer hall inside the temple, Dr Rout said in a statement adding “political controversy over repair of the structure is painful”.
Recalling the incident in 90s when a rock fell off the temple and ASI showed no hurry in fixing it, Dr Rout said that the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, who is known for his bluntness, was upset over the negligence of the ASI. He vowed to provide protection to the century old temple in the House and received applause from all the political leaders when he said in a chocked voice that he will approach 3.19 crore people of Odisha to pay Re 1 each for repair of the temple.
“Biju Babu had said then that if the ASI, which is responsible for protecting the monument, neglects the repair work, I will beg 3.19 crore people to contribute Re 1 each for repair work of the temple,” he recalled the speech of Biju Patnaik in State Assembly.
He urged the leaders across the all party lines and the statesmen not to indulge in slug fest but raise their voice unitedly for taking up restoration of the Temple to save it.
