SC Ruling on Puri Jagannath Temple

Why in news?

The Supreme Court recently gave directions on the administration of the Puri Jagannath Temple.

What is the case about?

• A petition was filed on harassment and exploitation faced by visitors in the temple.
• This was said to be due to the commercialisation of rituals.
• Concerns were also raised on issues of hygiene, encroachments and management of the temple.

What are the court's directions?

• The SC gave some specific directions to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
• SJTA is to ensure that no direct collection of the offerings is made by any Sevaks.
• All the offerings should be through either hundi or deposited and accounted for and properly utilized.
• They should not be individual pockets by the Sevaks/attendants.
• As, these would be given their due remuneration as per rules.
• To ensure this, the SJTA has to review the arrangement of CCTV cameras and install more.
• An independent panel must view the footage at suitable intervals and submit a report to the District Judge.
• The court has directed the Puri District Judge to file a report on exploitative practices.

What are the concerns?

• The Servitors of the Temple are largely dependent on the temple for their livelihood.
• Given this, the SC’s directive may force them into penury/poverty.
• The order does not distinguish between dakshina and daan.
• The former is a fee paid voluntarily by devotees to servitors for performing their desired rituals.
• On the other hand, daan is the donation to the temple.
• Many devotees are under the impression that the SC has banned dakshina.

What is SJTA's stance?

• There is said to be coercive collection of large amounts in the form of dakshina.
• The Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, provides for the welfare of servitors.
• Under this, the Shri Jagannath Temple Foundation Fund receives all donations exceeding Rs 500.
• The collections are invested in long-term fixed deposits in banks and the interest returns to the Fund.
• A portion of it is used to run a sebayat (servitors’) hospital, give scholarships to their children, and for old age and widow pensions.
• Given this support system, servitors should not expect any part of the temple’s offerings.

Source: Indian Express

Quick Fact

Puri Jagannath Temple

• The Shree Jagannath Temple is located in Puri, Odisha.
• It is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of lord Vishnu.
• It is well known for its annual Ratha Jatra, or chariot festival.
• The temple is one of the four great 'Char Dham' pilgrimage sites.
• Char Dhams are the pilgrimage sites found at India's four cardinal points.
• The other three are Badrinath (Uttarakhand), Dwarka (Gujarat), and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu).