Jagannath Temple: In an attempt to trigger devotees, two walls near the Jagannath Temple were covered in graffiti. As visuals surface online, the threatening words read, “terrorists will demolish the Jagannath Temple,” in regional language, Odia.
These words were found written near the 12th-century shrine, as per police reports, on the wall of Maa Budhi Thakurani’s temple located at Bali Sahi. Beside this, a threat which read, “Terrorists will demolish the Srimandir. Call me, or else there will be destruction,” PTI reported.
However, several such words often vandalise and spoil the sanctity for the devotees, but is not an uncommon site. Be it historical monuments, temples or even trees, they are often branded with the common words. Residents from Puri revealed that words like ‘PM Modi’ and ‘Delhi’ were also found written inside the temple premises.
CCTV footage examined
Puri SP Pinak Mishra, present at the site, told PTI that the authorities had taken cognisance of the matter and “are taking it very seriously.” While the CCTV footage was not made public, the authorities confirmed a strict investigation into the same. Based on preliminary investigation, the threats were inscribed on Tuesday night, but the motive of mischief and malpractice is unclear.
“CCTVs have been installed at several places. Security guards have also been deployed. Investigation is underway on a war footing,” the SP noted in a statement. Locals expressed shock that the threatening graffiti appeared in and around such a high-security temple zone and raised questions about decreased surveillance. A servitor noted that miscreants had shown bold disregard for the sanctity of the site, while a devotee recalled a recent breach in which unidentified men scaled the outer wall and entered without authorisation, a lapse that has heightened concerns.
This comes after three people died and many others were left injured during the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 stampede in June. The incident took place near the Gundicha Temple as a huge crowd of thousands pushed each other to catch a closer glimpse of the ceremonial chariot. The Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi apologised for the lapse in arrangement and ordered a high-level probe into the matter. Further, Rs 25 lakh was to be given to the kin of the deceased.
Meanwhile, in Odisha, Ajay Kumar Lallu, speaking on the four semiconductor projects, warned about the heightened security concerns for women in the state. “Odisha is not safe. Within one month, four women have died,” he said, slamming the BJP about the rapid industrial growth with projects worth Rs 4,594 crore.