The Kalinga Sena, a city-based socio-political organisation, on Friday warned the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) against holding the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at an inappropriate time by deviating from tradition and culture.
Sena activists, during the day, staged a protest in front of the ISKCON temple here to reject Puri Gajapati Maharaja Debasingha Deb’s call to hold rath yatra across the world as per the scriptures.
Sena activists led by their chief Hemant Rath have vowed to ensure that no ISKCON fans enter Puri during the upcoming Rath Yatra on July 16.
They also issued a threat to ISKCON against holding the Rath yatra in Bhubaneswar, a regular practice carried out by the organization for decades.
However, the Bhubaneswar branch of ISKCON holds the Rath Yatra as per the tradition of the Puri temple.
“ISKCON has no right to remain in Odisha as the organization insulted Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who is considered the first servant of Lord Jagannath. Our activists will ensure that ISKCON members do not remain present during the Rath Yatra in Puri and Bhubaneswar,” Rath told reporters.
Asked if the Sena was taking the law into his own hands, Rath said: “If they have no respect for our Jagannath culture, why should we honor them in Puri? They have no business in Puri. Our activists will stop all ISKCON activities across Odisha.”
He said that despite repeated appeals, ISKCON had failed to adhere to the timeline set for holding the rath yatra of Lord Jagannath. “All ISKCON temples will be targeted and closed if the community does not stop the sudden harassment around the world,” Rath warned.
The Sena also called on the people of Odisha to oppose ISKCON in their areas.
