Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha over the issue of the missing keys to the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure trove of the Jagannath temple in Puri.
This controversy has intensified as Odisha heads to the polls, with Puri and the state capital, Bhubaneswar, set to vote on May 25.
During a rally in Angul, PM Modi criticized the BJD government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, for its alleged negligence in safeguarding one of the state’s most revered religious sites. "
During a rally in Angul, PM Modi criticized the BJD government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, for its alleged negligence in safeguarding one of the state’s most revered religious sites. "Jagannath temple in Puri is not safe under BJD rule.
Ratna Bhandar' keys have been missing for the last six years," Modi declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The Jagannath temple, a 12th-century structure, is of immense cultural and spiritual significance in Odisha. It houses the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, which are adorned with precious ornaments stored in the Ratna Bhandar.
This treasure trove, which includes donations from devotees and erstwhile kings, has not been opened since July 14, 1985.
The issue came to the forefront in 2018 when the Orissa High Court directed the state government to conduct a physical inspection of the Ratna Bhandar. However, the keys to the chamber could not be found, leading to widespread outrage and a political scandal.
The disappearance of the keys raised serious questions about the management and security of the temple's treasures, triggering a state-wide debate about accountability and governance.