Under attack from different quarters for alleged mismanagement in Lord Jagannath's 'Brahma Paribartan', the temple administration today suspended two senior priests on the charges of creating chaos inside the temple leading to delay of ritual on June 15.
"Jayakrushna Dasmohapatra and Kashinath Dasmohapatra have been suspended from Daita Seva for an indefinite period under section 21 (B) of the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954," SJTA Chief Administrator Suresh Mohapatra said.
Jayakrushna is the son of Kashinath Dasmohapatra. Jaykrushna is also a functionary of ruling BJD's Puri wing, sources said, adding Kashinath Dasmohapatra is the elder brother of Daitapati Nijog (union) President Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra.
"According to preliminary investigation, Jaykrushna was found to be responsible for chaos inside the temple during the Brahma Paribartan ritual," the chief administrator said, adding Jaykrushna had insisted on taking his father (Kashinath) inside which led to the delay in the all important ritual.
'Brahma Paribartan' is the most secret and sacred ritual of Lord Jagannath when the selected Daitapati priests transfer Brahma (life substance) from old idols to the new ones during the Nabakalebara festival.
Stating that SJTA has been hearing from senior Daitapatis about what exactly transpired during the 'Brahma Parivartan', Mohapatra said so far nine priests have deposed before the inquiry being conducted under the provision of Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954.
"Based on the statement of these nine priests, we came to the conclusion that these two were mainly responsible for the delay," the chief administrator said.
When the four Badagrahis (officially assigned to undertake 'Brahma Paribartan') were about to enter the secret hall for the ritual, Jayakrushna suddenly insisted that his father also be allowed to go in, he said.
When the four badagrahis refused, there was a heated argument leading to the delay, he said.
Earlier, Lord Balabhadra's Badagrahi (idol protector) Haladhar Dasmohapatra, also the dalapati (leader), had alleged that he was abused by certain Daitapati priests while opposing Jaykrushna and others who attempted to forcibly enter into the secret hall.
Clash between the two groups of Daitapati priests led to delay in 'Brahma Paribartan' which was scheduled to be held on the dark night or 'Amabashya' and 'Sankranti' on 'Chaturdashi tithi' on June 15. The ritual was conducted during day on June 16 sparking resentment among lakhs of Jagannath devotees.
Meanwhile, the 12-hour Puri bandh called by local Bar Association today ended peacefully with people on their own closing down shops along with vehicles remaining off the roads protesting against the mismanagement in 'Brahma Paribartan' ritual.
The bandh was also called demanding action against the erring Daitapati priests who caused delay in the ritual.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has also given a call for a 12-hour Odisha bandh on the same issue on June 26.
"A dawn-to-dusk bandh will be observed on June 26 in protest against state government's failure to take action against those responsible for Brahma Paribartan fiasco," OPCC President Prasad Harichandan told reporters here.
The VHP has also announced a statewide protest tomorrow over the issue.
In another development, Orissa High Court today issued notices to the state government SJTA to give its view on 'Brahma Paribartan' fiasco within two weeks while hearing a PIL demanding judicial probe into the episode.
