Rourkela: A US-based Odia cultural organisation has urged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Odisha and West Bengal govts to intervene and stop Iskcon’s proposed Rath Yatra at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Aug 23, alleging that the event is being held outside the dates prescribed by Hindu scriptures.Dr Surya Pattanaik, president of the Jagannath Cultural and Educational Center (JCEC), California, said the organisation had also opposed Iskcon Berkeley’s Snana Yatra, which was held on Aug 9 despite objections from devotees.“Iskcon has been conducting Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra in several countries on dates that do not conform to scriptural prescriptions. These events continue despite repeated protests and petitions by Gajapati Maharaj, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and Jagannath devotees across the world,” Pattanaik said.According to JCEC, Iskcon Los Angeles organised Rath Yatra on Aug 2, several days after completion of Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Niladri Bije at Puri on July 27. A petition signed by over 70 devotees, including members of the Odia diaspora, was submitted on July 10 seeking reconsideration of the schedule. However, the event went ahead as planned.Pattanaik said Iskcon Berkeley had scheduled Snana Yatra on Aug 9 and Rath Yatra on Aug 23. “More than 100 devotees, including members of Odia diaspora, signed a petition on July 20 requesting rescheduling of events as the dates fall outside those prescribed by scriptures. There was no response, and Snana Yatra was held on Aug 9. We believe Rath Yatra on Aug 23 will also go ahead,” he said.He added that copies of the petitions were sent to the PMO, the President’s Office, and the chief ministers of Odisha and West Bengal. “Since Iskcon has not responded to our objections, we believe intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Odisha and West Bengal governments is the only way to stop these untimely observances of Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra,” Pattanaik said. malayray2000@gmail.com
