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BHUBANESWAR: The entry of an unidentified foreign tourist into the Puri Jagannath Temple, where the entry of non-Hindus is prohibited, created a flutter on Sunday.
However, the woman tourist could not be traced by the temple authorities as she reportedly fled when some servitors raised an alarm after seeing her near the Jagamohan in the temple complex in the afternoon.
Though the entry of non-Hindus into the shrine is not a criminal act under the law, as per the prevailing practice, the temple administration has the authority to impose a certain fine on such offenders.
Servitors criticised the security personnel on duty at the entrance for their alleged negligence. “We are shocked that neither the police nor temple authorities could find her even though some of our colleagues had seen her in the temple. A short video of her coming out of the temple has gone viral on social media. Police personnel should have been more alert to prevent her entry as it violated the temple tradition,” Binayak Dasmohapatra, a servitor, said. Puri BJP MLA Jayant Sarangi too expressed concern over the flouting of temple rules. “We expect more vigilant policing and better checking at temple entrance,” Sarangi said.
Police said they are verifying the CCTV footage from the temple. “The foreigner wore a salwar kameez with her face covered, making it difficult to recognise her. We have asked our personnel to be more vigilant,” a police officer said.
However, the woman tourist could not be traced by the temple authorities as she reportedly fled when some servitors raised an alarm after seeing her near the Jagamohan in the temple complex in the afternoon.
Though the entry of non-Hindus into the shrine is not a criminal act under the law, as per the prevailing practice, the temple administration has the authority to impose a certain fine on such offenders.
Servitors criticised the security personnel on duty at the entrance for their alleged negligence. “We are shocked that neither the police nor temple authorities could find her even though some of our colleagues had seen her in the temple. A short video of her coming out of the temple has gone viral on social media. Police personnel should have been more alert to prevent her entry as it violated the temple tradition,” Binayak Dasmohapatra, a servitor, said. Puri BJP MLA Jayant Sarangi too expressed concern over the flouting of temple rules. “We expect more vigilant policing and better checking at temple entrance,” Sarangi said.
Police said they are verifying the CCTV footage from the temple. “The foreigner wore a salwar kameez with her face covered, making it difficult to recognise her. We have asked our personnel to be more vigilant,” a police officer said.
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