States » EastPosted at: Jul 1 2025 11:11PM


Odisha Congress demands judicial probe by a sitting judge into Puri Rath Yatra mismanagement

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (UNI) Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge into the alleged mismanagement of the Puri Rath Yatra, which reportedly led to the death of three devotees in a stampede near the Gundicha temple.
Addressing a press conference, Das dismissed the ongoing inquiry led by the Development Commissioner, stating that it would be of no consequence.
“How can a member of the same committee entrusted with the festival’s arrangements be expected to conduct an impartial investigation?” he questioned.
Das asserted that only an inquiry conducted by a sitting judge would ensure justice in the matter.
He strongly criticized the BJP-led state government for what he termed “utter mismanagement” during the Rath Yatra, alleging that over 1,500 BJP workers, directly involved in the event's organization, were responsible for the chaos.
The Congress leader accused the government of turning the Puri Rath Yatra into a party affair, focusing more on the comfort and presence of VVIPs rather than on crowd management. “This misplaced priority,” he claimed, “resulted in complete disorder and endangered the lives of devotees.”
Das also condemned the assault on the Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) yesterday allegedly by BJP workers. He demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved in the incident.
He further alleged that under the present government officials were being reduced to "slaves of BJP leaders," pointing out that district BJP presidents and party workers were being allowed to attend official government functions.
Das accused the ruling BJP of attempting to saffronize the bureaucracy and demanded a public apology from the government over the attack on the senior BMC official.
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Tags: #Odisha Congress demands judicial probe by a sitting judge into Puri Rath Yatra mismanagement
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