Stop the ‘Puri Heritage Corridor Project’ as it is dangerous for the Shri Jagannath Temple in Odisha

• A demand by the Hindu organisation ‘Shri Mandir Suraksha Abhiyan’
• A complaint that permission was not taken from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) – The ‘Puri Heritage Corridor Project’ can cause severe damage to the famous Shri Jagannath Temple, warned the Hindu organisation ‘Shri Mandira Suraksha Abhiyan’, which is supported by the Vishva Hindu Parishad. This 800-year-old temple building is not in a good condition and this proposed project can cause structural damage to it. Hence, this project should be immediately suspended. An expert technical committee should be commissioned to examine the situation scientifically, demanded ‘Shri Mandira Suraksha Abhiyan. This project breaches the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. This organisation also alleges that permission was not taken from the Archaeological Survey of India for this project.

Stop Jagannath Heritage Corridor project, set up expert panel for risk evaluation: VHP-backed outfit#Puri #Odisha https://t.co/uW9VfaMYfV

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A five-member delegation of the Shri Mandira Suraksha Abhiyan met the Union Minister of Culture G Krishna Reddy and submitted a memorandum requesting the Central Government to look into the matter. They also specified the irregularities in the Shri Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project being undertaken at Puri. This information was told by the spokesperson of the Abhiyan. Reddy assured the delegation that appropriate legal action shall be taken.

What is the ‘Puri Heritage Project’ ?

The project to develop Jagannath Puri the Holy City, as a World Class Heritage City was started in December 2019. According to the rule, no new construction was to be undertaken for 100 meters inside the temple premises. As the Archaeological Survey of India had advised that this could endanger the Temple.  (If this is the case, then it is expected that the Department should oppose the project. Why do the Hindu organisations need to make demands like this ? – Editor).  But the National Monuments Authority gave permission for this project.

Editorial viewpoint

The bad effect of the temple takeover by the Government ! How can the Government of Odisha take such decisions about the Hindu Temples ? The Hindus should unite, and raise their voices against this arbitrary behaviour, through legal means.