Odisha CM appeals Centre to withdraw NMA drafted Bylaws on Ananta Basudev, Brahmeswar temple

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday took to Twitter to appeal the Central Government to ‘immediately’ withdraw the National Monuments Authority drafted Bylawas on Ananta Basudev temple and Brahmeswar temple in the Ekamra Kshetra of Bhubaneswar.

The CM further said, “It would have been appropriate for the Central Agencies to take the Stake into confidence on sensitive religious issues.”

Central Govt should immediately withdraw the National Monuments Authority Draft Bylaws on Ananta Basudev & Brahmeswar Temple of #EkamraKshetra. It would have been appropriate for the Central agencies to take the State into confidence on sensitive religious issues.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 12, 2021

Patnaik also appealed all the MPs from Odisha to take up this sensitive matter with the Union Government as it involves the sentiments of lakhs of devotees of Odisha, lives and livelihood of sebayats, linked to the smooth conduct of Nitis of Lord Lingaraj.

I appeal to all the MPs from #Odisha to take up this sensitive matter with the Union Government & @prahladspatel, as it involves the sentiments of lakhs of devotees of #Odisha, lives and livelihood of sebayats, linked to the smooth conduct of Nitis of Lord Lingaraj.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 12, 2021

After the Centre’s notification withdrawl of the draft bylaws of National Monuments Authority (NMA) for Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha government had requested the NMA yesterday to withdraw the same for Lingaraj and Brahmeswar Temples in Bhubaneswar.

It is to be noted that recently, the state government has acquired lands and properties for strengthening safety and security of the centuries old Shrine and also beautification of the peripheral areas for the projects under Ekamra Development Plan. However, the NMA draft rules prohibit construction works around the Temples.