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🇮🇳 India /Culture & Society

ISKCON threatened by Kalinga Sena over Rath Yatra timing row in Odisha

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • A social and political organization, Kalinga Sena, has threatened ISKCON with unspecified actions if they proceed with holding the Rath Yatra festival outside the traditional timing and scriptural guidelines.
  • The Sena activists protested at an ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar, demanding adherence to the traditions upheld by the Puri Gajapati Maharaja.
  • The organization warned ISKCON against holding the Rath Yatra in Puri and Bhubaneswar, stating they have no right to remain in Odisha if they disrespect local traditions.

Kalinga Sena, a social and political group based in Bhubaneswar, has issued a stern warning to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) regarding the timing of the Rath Yatra festival. The organization threatened ISKCON against deviating from established traditions and scriptures for the annual procession of Lord Jagannath.

The ISKCON has no right to stay in Odisha as the organisation has insulted Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, who is considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath.

— Hemant RathRath, president of Kalinga Sena, explains the group's stance against ISKCON's perceived disrespect for local traditions and the Puri Maharaja.

Activists from Kalinga Sena staged a protest outside the ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar, urging the organization to respect the appeal made by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. The Maharaja, considered the chief servitor of Lord Jagannath, had requested that the Rath Yatra be conducted globally according to scriptural norms.

Our activists will ensure that ISKCON people do not remain present during the rath yatra in Puri and Bhubaneswar.

— Hemant RathRath details the Kalinga Sena's planned actions to prevent ISKCON's participation in the Rath Yatra.

Led by their president Hemant Rath, Sena activists declared their intention to prevent ISKCON devotees from entering Puri during the upcoming Rath Yatra on July 16. They also issued a direct threat against ISKCON holding the Rath Yatra in Bhubaneswar, a practice the organization has maintained for decades, albeit in line with Puri's traditions.

If they do not have respect for our Jagannath culture, why should we honour them in Puri? They have no business in Puri.

— Hemant RathRath justifies the Kalinga Sena's actions by questioning ISKCON's right to operate in Puri if they disregard local culture.

"The ISKCON has no right to stay in Odisha as the organisation has insulted Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb," Rath stated to reporters. He added, "Our activists will ensure that ISKCON people do not remain present during the rath yatra in Puri and Bhubaneswar." Rath further warned that if ISKCON does not cease its untimely Rath Yatra observances worldwide, "All ISKCON temples will be targeted and locked."

All ISKCON temples will be targeted and locked if the society does not stop untimely rath yatra across the world.

— Hemant RathRath issues a global threat against ISKCON if they continue their current practices regarding the Rath Yatra.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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