Puri Shankaracharya says there is ‘Conspiracy’ behind demolition of Mutts

Puri : Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on Saturday alleged conspiracy behind demolition of mutts and other religious institutions in the pilgrim town.

Breaking his silence on the ongoing demotion drive being carried out by the Puri district administration in 75 metre area around the Puri Jagannath temple, the Shankaracharya stated that the BP Das Commission had not taken any suggestions and feedback from the stakeholders in this connection.

“Who stopped BP Das Commission to meet me and who is the conspirator should be probed by a high-level committee,” said Puri Shankaracharya.

Puri Shankaracharya also questioned the interference of external forces in the management of Puri Srimandir. He said that all the management of the sacred shrine should be done as per religious laws.

“As per the Skanda Purana, chariots of the deities should reach Gundicha temple on the same day during Rath Yatra. But now it is being said that chariots should not be pulled after sunset. I want to question whether Samiti, CM or Law Minister are the right persons to decide on such religious traditions,” added Puri Shankaracharya.

Puri Shankaracharya also slammed the Supreme Court-appointed Amicus Curiae Ranjit Kumar for not taking any advice or suggestions from him before taking any decision or submitting the report to the apex court in this connection.

“Whatever report submitted by Amicus Curiae and Das Commission to government and the Supreme Court, respectively is completely invalid. As BP Das Commission submitted its report without consulting the head of the religious institution, the report is a conspiracy to declare Puri Srimandir as a secular entity instead of a religious one,” said Shankaracharya.

The functioning and management of Mutts should be independent of everything else as was the case during the British Raj.

Meanwhile, the statements of Odisha government or the temple administration could not be obtained on the allegations of Shankaracharya of Puri.

Source : Odisha TV