BJD seeks ASI's apology for sharing photos of Puri Jagannath temple's interiors

    Bhubaneswar, Jul 29 (PTI) Opposition BJD in Odisha on Tuesday demanded an apology from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for sharing photos of the Puri Jagannath temple's interiors on social media.
    The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has also written to the ASI director-general, asking it to be “careful in this regard and to take necessary steps over the recent incident.”
    Sharing details of the restoration work carried out at the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century shrine, the ASI had on Monday posted photos of the temple on social media.
    However, the photos were later deleted by the ASI after the SJTA drew the attention of the authorities.
    Addressing a press conference, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the ASI's action has hurt the sentiments of the devotees, and poses a danger to the security of the shrine.
    "It is illegal to take a camera or any electronic gadget inside the temple, but how the ASI, which is in charge of the maintenance of the temple, took photos of the entrance of the Ratna Bhandar and Bhog Mandap, and published those on social media, has raised questions in the minds of people," he said.
    Mohanty said the ASI should tender an unconditional apology, and the officer responsible should be suspended.
    The BJD leader also sought clarification from the state's BJP government and the SJTA in this regard.
    Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, "Yes, this has come to our notice. The SJTA is fully free to take action over the matter."
    In a statement, the SJTA said its chief administrator Arabinda Padhee has written a letter to the ASI authorities, seeking disciplinary action over the publication of the photos.
    “Maintaining the sanctity and spirituality of the Shri Jagannath Temple is important for every devotee, the temple administration and the state government. Therefore, the chief administrator has advised the ASI to be more careful while publishing pictures related to the temple,” it said.
    In the letter, the SJTA also lauded the ASI for its work in the field of renovation of the temple's Ratna Bhandar.
    “However, publishing the pictures... affected the religious sentiments of devotees,” it added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)