Bhubaneswar: A series of social media posts by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) mocking Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in connection with the Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar inventory has led to a face-off between opposition and ruling party leaders on Thursday. The state law minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, cautioned BJD against circulating caricatures of saffron party leaders.
Political Tensions Escalate
In response, former BJD minister Pranab Prakash Das accused the BJP of turning Lord Jagannath into a political tool. Harichandan hit back, stating that the opposition will be paralysed if the government starts questioning them on the Ratna Bhandar issue. Analysts noted that both BJD and BJP have renewed their hostilities, trading accusations of exploiting faith for electoral gain.
BJD's Allegations
BJD alleged that the BJP initiated 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 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 due to 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.
BJP's Counterarguments
Speaking to reporters, Harichandan underscored the BJP government’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.
This ongoing political dispute highlights the deep divisions between the two parties over the handling of the sacred temple's treasures, with both sides accusing each other of exploiting religious sentiments for political advantage.
