- BJP Leaders’ Entry into the Chahani Mandap During Niladri Bije
- Complaint Filed at Police Station Against Deputy Chief Minister, State BJP President and MLA
- Demand for a High-Level Inquiry into the Incident
Bhubaneswar, 31/07/2026: A complaint has been lodged at the police station regarding the entry of BJP leaders into the Chahani Mandap during the Niladri Bije ceremony. Seeking a high-level inquiry into the incident, Puri District BJD President Shri Umakant Samantray has lodged an FIR at Capital Police Station against Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida, BJP State President Shri Manmohan Samal, and Pipili MLA Shri Ashrit Pattanayak.
The BJP Government, which claims to champion Odia pride and identity, is instead destroying Odisha’s identity. By violating the rituals and traditions of the Shree Jagannath Temple, these leaders entered the Chahani Mandap. Serious questions have arisen as to how non-servitors (Anasebayats) were present inside the Mandap during the sacred meeting of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Under what legal authority did the Deputy Chief Minister, the BJP State President, and the MLA enter the Chahani Mandap on the highly sacred occasion of Niladri Bije? It is imperative that the Government immediately make public the administrative order, legal permission, or traditional basis under which such entry was permitted.
The BJP Government is daring to bring Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath within the political sphere. If the said entry was not in accordance with the established rules, it raises serious questions regarding the sanctity, dignity, and long-standing traditions of the Shree Jagannath Temple. It is creating a perception among the public that there is one set of rules for influential and powerful individuals and another for ordinary devotees. Such a perception is eroding public faith.
Therefore, an impartial high-level inquiry into the incident has been demanded. The inquiry should clearly establish under what circumstances permission was granted, who authorised such permission, and whether all prescribed rules and procedures were followed. If any irregularity or dereliction of duty is established, strict legal action should be taken against all those found responsible.
The traditions and dignity of Lord Jagannath are above any individual, public office, or political influence. The Shree Jagannath Temple is not a venue for political display; it is a symbol of the faith and identity of the people of Odisha. The Government’s silence or inaction on such a sensitive matter will create deep public resentment and erode public confidence. Therefore, the Biju Janata Dal has urged the authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident and take appropriate action.
The BJD delegation comprised Vice-President and former Minister Shri Sanjay Das Burma; Puri District President Shri Umakant Samantray; Kakatpur MLA Shri Tusharkanti Behera; Media Coordinator and Spokesperson Dr. Lenin Mohanty; Media Coordinator Dr. Priyabrata Majhi; Senior General Secretary Smt. Sumitra Jena; Anshu Tripathy; Ila Swain; Puri Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairman Swadhin Nayak; Puri Sadar Block Chairman Dibakar Patra; Brahmagiri Block President Bidyadhar Swain; Sakhigopal Block Chairman Sunil Panda; along with several other office-bearers and party functionaries.
