A photograph allegedly taken from the ‘Ratna Singhasan’ interior the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has long gone viral on social media, once extra triggering severe questions over the enforcement of the long-standing ban on pictures interior the shrine.
The image, purportedly showing Lord Jagannath on the Ratna Singhasan, used to be uploaded on Instagram by a particular person identified with his username as ‘Ashirbad945’ and later shared as a standing post, told sources.
The viral post has sparked venture over how a cellular cell phone or camera managed to enter the highly restricted interior precincts of the temple despite extra than one layers of security and repeated advisories prohibiting digital devices.
Photo Allegedly Taken From Shut Differ
In accordance to sources, the photograph appears to be like to had been taken from shut proximity to the Ratna Singhasan, which is exactly out of bounds for pictures under temple rules. The incident has raised intense discussions about screening mechanisms, crowd monitoring, and on-ground vigilance, namely one day of high darshan hours.
Temple officials said an inquiry is required to test how the image used to be captured and whether it used to be taken currently or uploaded later. No legit affirmation has but been issued when it comes to the identification of the individual that took the photograph or the particular timing of the breach.
Repeated Security Breaches In Recent Months
The latest incident provides to a series of security lapses reported on the 12th-century shrine in present months.
In November, the Srimandir witnessed two breaches on a single day. In one case, a devotee from Jajpur allegedly entered the sanctum sanctorum disguised as a servitor and reportedly touched the Ratna Singhasan after the Gopal Ballabha ritual. He used to be detained and questioned by the police.
On the identical day, any other devotee from Ahmedabad used to be caught interior the Jagamohan wearing spectacles fitted with a hidden camera. Temple authorities detected the instrument one day of darshan and detained the individual prior to handing him over to the Singhadwara police.
Earlier in October, a servitor used to be also caught allegedly taking photos interior the temple premises the utilization of a cellular cell phone, violating the ban on digital devices for all folks, including servitors and security personnel.
Right Provisions And Proposed Amendments
Below present law, unauthorised pictures interior the temple attracts a maximum punishment of two months’ imprisonment and an excellent of Rs 1,000. Nevertheless, devotees secure acknowledged that the present penalty framework supplies restricted deterrence, namely in cases animated concealed recording devices.
In response to routine incidents, the Odisha authorities has proposed amendments to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that the authorities is brooding about making unauthorised filming interior the temple a cognisable offence, with provisions for non-bailable fees and imprisonment of up to seven years.
ALSO READ: Repeated look cam invasions at Puri Jagannath Temple: ‘Toothless Temple Act encouraging offenders’
Inquiry Awaited
Meanwhile, sources cited temple officials who said further motion in the latest case would rely on the discontinuance outcomes of verification and investigation into the viral listing.
Officers secure not but confirmed whether a formal police case has been registered in reference to the social media post.
