Odisha Chief Minister Shri.Naveen Patnaik today ordered for an administrative inquiry into the construction of the proposed Jagannath temple by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Puri.
The Chief Minister has directed Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central Division) to conduct the inquiry and submit the report within 60 days.
Notably, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra on January 18 had alleged at a press conference that ISKCON was conspiring to construct another Jagannath temple at Baliapanda in Sipasarubali mouza in Puri.
On the next day Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) had ordered stopping construction of the proposed temple till disposal of the case.
Following that ISKCON at a press conference clarified that Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra would not be worshipped at the proposed temple.
Similarly, allegations were raised against ISKCON authorities of grabbing the land for the proposed project through manipulation.
Following coming to fore of certain facts concealed by ISKCON, PKDA had served notice to ISKCON authorities.
The Orissa High Court on January 29 has issued an interim stay till February 17 forbidding any action by the PKDA in the matter till further orders.
ISKCON’s move to construct another Jagannath temple in Puri has drawn flak from all quarters.
Prasanta Patnaik