Access Of Differently-Abled Devotees To Puri Jagannath Temple: Orissa High Court Seeks Response From Temple Administration

The Orissa High Court has sought response from the administration of Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri regarding steps taken for providing access to differently-abled devotees, especially wheel-chair bound persons, to have darshan of the deity. The petitioner Advocate Mrinalini Padhi filed the writ petition seeking implementation of the assurance given by the temple authority before the Supreme Court to provide access to differently-abled devotees into the Jagannath Temple, as mentioned in the order of the Apex Court dated 04.11.2019. With respect to hassle-free darshan to the devotees, the Temple Administration has initiated steps for providing facility of Parikrama around the Shrine with covered roof, safe drinking water facility at suitable points, sitting arrangements for old, age and differently-abled persons.” An affidavit was filed before the Apex Court by the Temple Management Committee, wherein a resolution was reproduced which was passed by it to streamline the smooth administration of the shrine. After hearing the plea of the petitioner, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo has issued notice to the Chief Administrator, Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri calling for a response indicating the steps taken pursuant to such resolution submitted before the Supreme Court.