(VISAKEO, 8/11)In the wake of a petition filed in the Orissa High Court by an advocate seeking entry of Dalits into the Keradagada Jaggannath Temple, the King of Kanika Rabindra Narayan Bhanj Deo on Wednesday referred the issue to the awaited verdict of Mukti Mandap and the people of Rajnagar to decide on the right thing to do.
The petitioner cited the Articles 14, 15 and 19 of the Indian Constitution, which grants the right to equality and the freedom of religion and faith.
After the fall of kingship in 1947, the so called royal palace has lost its past glory and it is up to the people of Rajnagar to decided on the temple entry of dalits at Keradagad of Kendrapara district. What ever the people and the Mukti Mandap decide, Kanika royal palace would respect it and obey it in both letter and spirit, king Bhanj Deo said.
Talking exclusively to The Pioneer, Bhanj Deo informed that he has sought help of Mukti Mandap. He also urged both the dalits and upper caste people of Rajnanagar to sit together and discuss the issue and solve it amicably. After camping for four days at Puri to chalk out the future strategies, Bhanj Deo however expressed his unhappiness over the politicisation of the issue and made it clear majority wish should be obeyed.
He said the Constitution and religious feelings are two different things and the issue should be solved with due respect to the age-old tradition and practices of the Keradagada Temple. "The Kanika royal palace does not want to fall into controversy over the issue, we are working only as caretaker of the temple and it is for the local people to decide what they want," the king said. He urged the dalits to postpone protest day slated for November 19 as the matter is pending with the Mukti Mandap. He however refrained from airing his personal views.
The petitioner cited the Articles 14, 15 and 19 of the Indian Constitution, which grants the right to equality and the freedom of religion and faith.
After the fall of kingship in 1947, the so called royal palace has lost its past glory and it is up to the people of Rajnagar to decided on the temple entry of dalits at Keradagad of Kendrapara district. What ever the people and the Mukti Mandap decide, Kanika royal palace would respect it and obey it in both letter and spirit, king Bhanj Deo said.
Talking exclusively to The Pioneer, Bhanj Deo informed that he has sought help of Mukti Mandap. He also urged both the dalits and upper caste people of Rajnanagar to sit together and discuss the issue and solve it amicably. After camping for four days at Puri to chalk out the future strategies, Bhanj Deo however expressed his unhappiness over the politicisation of the issue and made it clear majority wish should be obeyed.
He said the Constitution and religious feelings are two different things and the issue should be solved with due respect to the age-old tradition and practices of the Keradagada Temple. "The Kanika royal palace does not want to fall into controversy over the issue, we are working only as caretaker of the temple and it is for the local people to decide what they want," the king said. He urged the dalits to postpone protest day slated for November 19 as the matter is pending with the Mukti Mandap. He however refrained from airing his personal views.
Meanwhile, palace sources blamed Jajpur MP Mohan Jena as the conspirator against the whole issue and slammed him for his role in turning the issue into a controversy. Countering this, the Kanika palace has also sought political help from Aul royal palace led by MLA Pratap Keshri Deo, besides Deo's mother Sushree Devi, who is also a BJD Rajya Sabha member.
Sources said king Bhanj Deo would likely discuss the issue with Deo's family as the matter is heading for a hectic political debate in Kendrapara. As the temple itself is a prestige issue for the Kanika palace, the king seemed worried, in the wake of the threat given by the dalits as well as the Ambedkar Lohia Vichar Manch to enter into the Temple on November 19.
When contacted MLA Pratap Keshri Deo said the temple has been run by a private trust led by the Kanika palace and the palace has the right to allow or not to allow dalits into the temple.
He said Barahjew Temple at Aul has no problem with dalits entry but there has been a tradition in Kerdagada since a very long time and he favoured to respect the tradition. "As the matter is a personal issue of Kanika king, he should decide the right thing," he said.
Sources said king Bhanj Deo would likely discuss the issue with Deo's family as the matter is heading for a hectic political debate in Kendrapara. As the temple itself is a prestige issue for the Kanika palace, the king seemed worried, in the wake of the threat given by the dalits as well as the Ambedkar Lohia Vichar Manch to enter into the Temple on November 19.
When contacted MLA Pratap Keshri Deo said the temple has been run by a private trust led by the Kanika palace and the palace has the right to allow or not to allow dalits into the temple.
He said Barahjew Temple at Aul has no problem with dalits entry but there has been a tradition in Kerdagada since a very long time and he favoured to respect the tradition. "As the matter is a personal issue of Kanika king, he should decide the right thing," he said.
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