Odisha Congress demands Judicial Probe into “Chaos and Mismanagement” during Puri Rath Yatra

Senior Congress leader and former minister Prasad Harichandan has demanded a judicial inquiry by the sitting District Judge of Puri to investigate the alleged chaos and mismanagement during this year's Rath Yatra in temple town Puri.

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Harichandan said the judicial inquiry should be announced within ten days after Niladri Bije, along with appropriate action against those responsible.

He pointed out that for the first time in 53 years, the chariot pulling was synchronized to occur on a single day, combining Nabajoubana Darshan, Netrotsav, and the Gundicha Yatra on June 27.

"Rath Yatra has been celebrated for over 1,200 years. On many occasions in the past, the chariot pulling and the arrival of all three chariots at the Gundicha Temple were completed on a single day," Harichandan said.

However, he added, this year, the chariots Taladhwaja and Darpadalana failed to reach their destination, while Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, barely moved — only enough to maintain tradition.

“So, the big question is — why was the chariot pulling halted, and for whom?” he asked.