Naveen Patnaik writes to Odisha CM Mohan Majhi over falling of Bada Thakura idol

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], July 11 (ANI): The Leader of Opposition in Odisha, Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, raising concerns over the felling of Bada Thakura idol on Charamala during ‘Pahandi’ ritual.

Stating that the incident has hurt many devotees, the former CM asked CM Majhi to take “personal responsibility” of the incident.

He further said that Lord Jagannath is the symbol of Odia Asmita, adding that lakhs of devotees across the world gather in Puri every year to celebrate Rath Yatra festival.

“This year, the unforeseen incident that took place when Bada Thakura entered the Adapa Mandapa, has deeply hurt the Jagannatha lovers from all over the world. I am also very deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident,” Patnaik said in the letter.

“The sight of Bada Thakura falling face down during Charamala Pahandi was heart wrenching. Such an unfortunate incident was unheard of during thousands of years of history of chariot festival. It was impossible for the Jagannatha devotees to believe what they were witnessing live on that day,” he added.

He further criticised the “casual comments” by some BJP ministers, alleging that it has hurt the sentiments of devotees.

“The way some members of the Odisha Cabinet made callus comments about such a sensitive subject has doubled the grief of Jagannatha lovers. The incident has deeply hurt the feelings of all the devotees of the Lord. Such an insensitive approach of the government could not assuage the wounded feelings of Jagannatha Devotees,” the former CM said.

The LoP further requested CM Majhi to take “personal responsibility” to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in future.

“In this context, I would urge you to take personal responsibility yourself and ensure that such an incident does not recur. I believe your exemplary steps in this direction will help in reassuring crores of devotees of Lord Jagannatha,” Patnaik added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) appointed state-level and national-level spokespersons.

14 leaders including Prasanna Acharya, Pramila Mallick and Debi Mishra were appointed as state-level spokespersons; Santrupt Misra and Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo have been appointed as national spokespersons. Santrupt Misra has also been appointed as political secretary to Naveen Patnaik. The party also dissolved its state-level office bearers.

Meanwhile, Mohan Charan Majhi took oath as Chief Minister of Odisha last month.

This came after BJP registered a stunning victory in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state, uprooting the 24-year rule of Naveen Patnaik-led BJD.

In the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the BJD faced a significant setback, failing to secure any of the 21 seats, while the BJP won 20 seats and Congress managed to win one seat. In the state assembly elections, the BJD won 51 out of 147 seats, while the BJP secured a majority by winning 78 seats.

The Biju Janata Dala, which has ruled Odisha since 1997, lost to the BJP in the assembly elections as well, breaking the 24-year-old reign of Naveen Patnaik as the Chief Minister.

VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat and close aide to the ex-chief minister, has stepped back from active politics after the party’s electoral loss.