A controversy has arisen over the hosting of the East India Bodybuilding Championship on the Bhajan Mandap advance the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
As per experiences, the Purana Bhubaneswar Nagarik Mancha (Oldschool Bhubaneswar Voters’ Dialogue board) has objected to the usage of the spiritually predominant venue for a bodybuilding opponents with participation of women.
Participants of the forum described the ladies’s bodybuilding occasion as ‘cultural degradation’ at a sacred space and staged a voice after the championship concluded. They reportedly sprinkled cow dung-blended water on the Bhajan Mandap, claiming the sanctity of the distance had been compromised by the occasion.
As per experiences, the bodybuilding championship become held over three days and drew hundreds of female and male bodybuilders from Odisha and 12 thoroughly different jap Indian states. The participation of women opponents, notably their opponents apparel, turned the predominant point of objection for the forum, which argued that such occasions injure Odia sentiments and showed disrespect against Lord Lingaraj.
“The participation of young women in the bodybuilding competition, particularly in short competition attire, is not acceptable to us. Such events are organised and conducted by men, and we strongly believe that women should not be made part of such displays at a sacred place. To restore the sanctity of the venue, we sprinkled cow dung-mixed water, as we believe the holiness of the place had been compromised. The Bhajan Mandap of Lord Lingaraj is a spiritually significant space meant for bhajans and religious activities. Organising a women’s bodybuilding competition at this venue is inappropriate and should not be allowed in the future,” acknowledged Chhabi Swain, a member of Purana Bhubaneswar Nagarik Mancha.
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“This kind of programme should not be held at this venue, as it does not align with our culture. The mandap is meant for bhajans and other spiritual activities. Such programmes should not be organised here in the future,” acknowledged Shiba Prasad Behera, Corporator for Ward No. 54.
In response, women bodybuilders and sportspersons strongly condemned the voice and the act of sprinkling cow dung water. They asserted that bodybuilding is a recognised worldwide sport with a prescribed dress code. They extra talked about that branding it as uncultured or obscene displays a regressive mindset. Moreover they emphasised their factual to rob part in skilled sports activities with dignity.
“Women’s bodybuilding is a nationally and internationally recognised sport, just like any other discipline. There is nothing inappropriate or objectionable about it that would justify sprinkling cow dung-mixed water. Such an act is deeply disrespectful,” acknowledged lady bodybuilder Anupama Swain.
“Those who are ignorant about the game can only act like this. The women who are participating in swimming are also wearing swimsuits. It’s a national and international-level sport, and we have a dress code for it. The women bodybuilders have participated in this championship by following the proper dress code,” acknowledged Sumitra Tripathy, President of Odisha Bodybuilding Affiliation.
The incident has brought about a broader debate on the appropriateness of hosting non-spiritual occasions at spiritual sites and on societal attitudes against women’s participation in competitive sports activities.
Despite the controversy, the championship, organised by the Baulagada Membership, proved profitable for a few Odia athletes. Amit Bhuyan, Jagannath Khuntia, Rashmi Ranjan Das and Soumya Ranjan Mishra secured top positions in thoroughly different categories.
