[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Devotees are prohibited by law from clicking pictures inside the shrine; judicial commission on reforms for the temple has sought a report on the incident
A scientist associated with an affiliate-institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has landed himself in trouble by uploading on Facebook photographs of the interiors of Puri’s famous Jagannath Temple in Odisha that he had clicked over a year ago.
Photography inside the world-renowned shrine is prohibited under Section 30A (4C) of the Jagannath Temple Act, 1953 and is punishable with imprisonment of up to two months or a fine of Rs 1000.
Sadanand Sharma, a scientist associated with the CSIR-affiliate Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), along with some experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), had in September last year carried out an inspection inside the Jagannath Temple’s sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that he had clicked the photographs then but only shared them on his Facebook account now, a year after his visit to the famous shrine.
Sharma’s action seems to have irked temple authorities as well as Justice (retired) BP Das who heads a commission of inquiry for the need for reforms in the Jagannath Temple. Justice Das has reportedly sought a report from Odisha’s law minister, the Jagannath temple administration, Puri district collector and the district superintendent of police within 10 days. The temple reforms panel chief wants to know on how Sharma was allowed to carry his camera or mobile phone inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and click photographs of the interiors when such activities are prohibited under law.
Justice Das told mediapersons in Bhubaneshwar that Sharma’s act was a “breach of security” and confirmed that he had sought a report on the incident from the authorities concerned. “They have been asked to find out the circumstances leading to circulation of the photos in social media,” he said.
Meanwhile, the scientist has tendered an apology to the temple’s chief administrator and senior IAS officer Pradeep Jena.
Jena informed the media that Sharma had been part of a team that had inspected the temple to study its structural stability and that “he had clicked the photos on his mobile phone”. The official added: “Sharma has sent an e-mail to me tendering an apology.”
Quoting from the apology letter tendered by Sharma to the authorities concerned, a temple administration official told mediapersons: “I was unaware of the sensitivity of the matter. I was associated with the temple project and had gone there to improve the temple’s condition. I had no ill intention and I sincerely apologise to all my friends, temple administration and local people.”
Although no official complaint has been lodged against the scientist so far for his action, Puri’s superintendent of police, Sarthak Sarangi explained: “Whenever people are caught with cameras and cell phones (inside the Jagannath temple), temple officials usually seized those articles, delete the photos and slap a fine on violators.” Sarangi said that if there is an official complaint filed against Sharma with the police, necessary action will be taken in accordance with the law governing the function of the temple.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]