Bhubaneswar: A series of social media posts by BJD mocking BJP leaders in connection with Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar inventory has led to a face-off between opposition and ruling party leaders on Thursday with the state law minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, cautioning BJD against circulating caricatures of saffron party leaders.In turn, former BJD minister Pranab Prakash Das accused the BJP of turning Lord Jagannath into a political tool and Harichandan hit back by saying opposition will be paralysed if the govt starts questioning them on Ratna Bhandar.Analysts said both BJD and BJP have renewed their hostilities and trading accusations of exploiting faith for electoral gain.BJD alleged that it was the BJP that started a propaganda around the temple’s treasury as part of its campaign strategy before the 2024 elections.
“BJP has never politicized Lord Jagannath or the Ratna Bhandar. BJD leaders must stop sharing caricatures of our leaders,” Harichandan said.The minister’s comments followed a series of posts on social media by Das, who cited the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s recent statement highlighting that the ongoing inventory of Ratna Bhandar ornaments so far matched the 1978 audit list, dismissing fears of disparity.
The inventory, which commenced on March 25, is still underway but has been temporarily halted in view of complex daily rituals at the temple.
“They (BJP) had claimed the Ratna Bhandar ornaments were stolen, even alleging they were sent to another state. Without facts or evidence, BJP spread a false narrative. The people of Odisha will hold them accountable,” Das wrote.Speaking to reporters, Harichandan underscored the BJP govt’s decision to reopen the Ratna Bhandar on July 14, 2024, for repair and inventory. The minister said that during the BJD’s 24-year-long rule, no effort was made to open the treasury and ensure its safety. “The Ratna Bhandar’s original keys went missing under the previous government. Duplicate keys suddenly appeared, but they didn’t fit the locks. On July 14, 2024, authorities had to break the locks in the presence of a magistrate.
The judicial commission’s report on the missing keys will soon be tabled in the assembly,” he added.
