Puri temple not disabled-friendly?

Cuttack: A fresh contempt petition has been filed in the Orissa high court alleging non-compliance of the order regarding provision of facilities for the disabled in Puri Jagannath Temple.The issue was first raised by Jitendra Kumar Biswal (50), a resident of Bhubaneswar, who filed a PIL seeking judicial intervention for facilitating the free movement of wheelchair-bound devotees within the temple complex in January last year.While disposing of the petition on February 28, 2022, the HC said, “In view of the urgency involved in this matter and as a decision in the matter is required to be taken by the administrative authority at the first hand, this court directs that Shree Jagannath Temple Committee and chief administrator, Puri Jagannath Temple to collectively take a lawful decision in the matter by treating the petition as a representation at the instance of the petitioner.”However, Biswal filed a contempt petition when the order was not complied with. Acting on it, the HC on December 20 last year said, “Considering this is the first contempt petition, this court disposes of the same directing all the contemnors (chairman of temple managing committee, chief administrator, Puri Jagannath Temple and collector, Puri) to work out the February 28, 2022 direction of this court in the disposal of the petition/representation at least within a further period of one month.”But Biswal filed a fresh contempt petition on Tuesday. “As no decision has been taken by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, I filed the second contempt petition,” Biswal said.The petitioner expects authorities to make designated space within the inner sanctum of Jagannath Temple for wheelchair-bound devotees to offer their prayers and to have a clear view of the three deities. He also expected the authorities to make other provisions that may be required within the temple complex for the free movement of wheelchair-bound devotees.