OPCC chief for solution to solve Rath Jatra controversy

With the row over Puri Shankaracharya's boycott of Lord Jagannath's Rath Jatra lingering, senior Congress leader Jaydev Jena today said the controversy should be resolved jointly by the seer, temple administration and Odisha government.

"Jagatguru Shankaracharya, Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and the state government should find a quick solution to the issue keeping in mind the direction of Orissa High Court in this regard," the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president said in a statement.

Voicing concern over the row following the temple administration's letter to Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati ahead of June 29 Rath Jatra, Jena said the controversy is assuming a serious shape and immediate steps must be taken to resolve it.

Stating that Congress always puts emphasis on secularism and respects all religions, the OPCC chief said the controversy should end immediately taking into consideration the sentiments and emotions of the devotees.

It may be recalled that the Shankaracharya did not visit the chariots to offer prayer and perform rituals before the deities during the annual event on June 29 taking strong objection to a letter sent by SJTA which asked the seer to climb the rath alone without being accompanied by his disciples.