A situation of controversy has arisen regarding the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Puri in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. An organization named Kalinga Sena has warned the ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON) to stay away from the Rath Yatra and leave Odisha. Kalinga Sena said that ISKCON should not take out the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at the wrong time.
Kalinga Sena workers also protested in front of the ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar after the appeal of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb of Puri to take out a Rath Yatra across the world as per the scriptures was rejected. He has also been accused of insulting Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, who is considered the first servant of Lord Jagannath.
What is Kalinga Sena Organization?
Kalinga Sena is a regional-social and political organization of Odisha. It describes itself as an organization working to protect Odia identity, traditions of Lord Jagannath and cultural interests of the state. Kalinga Sena has also fielded its candidates in many elections. Apart from this, it describes itself as an organization active on the issues of Odia language and culture, rights over the natural resources of the state and opposition to external interference in the cultural and religious affairs of Odisha.
When was the Kalinga Sena organization formed?
According to the website of Kalinga Sena, it was established by Hemant Rath in the capital of Odisha (Kalinga) on 7 November 2001 to make the people of the state aware about the glorious past, powerful warriors, art, culture and prosperity of Kalinga State. It was formed as a registered regional political party in Odisha.
However, as per the Who is Who records of Odisha Assembly, BJP MLA from Ekmara assembly constituency of the state, Babu Singh has been the president of an organization of the same name between 1993 and 1997. In such a situation, there is definitely a doubt about whether this organization is around the year 1990, whether politically it was formed in 2001. But this information is neither on the website of Kalinga Sena nor publicly available. At present, Hemant Rath is still the president of Kalinga Sena. The official website of the organization is also registered in his name.
In which elections has Kalinga Sena contested?
Kalinga Sena has contested many elections. Kalinga Sena had fielded its candidate from Bhubaneswar in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Apart from this, in the assembly elections held this year, it had fielded its candidates on 5 seats in the state. However, he did not get success on even a single seat. Apart from this, the party had also contested many seats in the 2019, 2013 and 2009 assembly elections. But was not successful on any seat.
2024 Lok Sabha seat
- Bhubaneswar- Pradeep Kumar Sahu
2024 assembly elections
- Jatani- Himanshu Kumar Nayak
- Ekamra Bhuvaneshwar-Monalisa Biswal
- Rairakhol- Manoj Kumar Mishra
- Yes. Udayagiri- Kandhamal Sanjay Kumar Pradhan
- Chhatrapur- Ganjam Santosh Kumar Sethi
What is the whole dispute with ISKCON regarding Jagannath Rath Yatra?
The Jagannath Rath Yatra controversy is mainly a dispute between the Jagannath Temple Committee and ISKCON. In fact, the temple committee says that ISKCON is carrying out Rath Yatra in foreign countries as per its convenience and is diverting people from age-old religious beliefs. According to the scriptures, Rath Yatra can be taken out only on Ashadh Shukla Dwitiya. This time the main Rath Yatra was to be organized in Puri on 16th July.
ISKCON organized the Jagannath Rath Yatra several weeks in advance in many countries like America, London and Sydney. The temple management committee alleges that by organizing the Rath Yatra on different days, it is violating Hindu traditions and scriptures. At the same time, ISKCON believes that Lord Jagannath belongs to the whole world. In foreign countries, the date of Rath Yatra is decided according to the weather and convenience of local devotees.
What threat did Kalinga Army give to ISKCON?
Regarding this, Kalinga Sena President Hemant Rath has said that he will not allow ISKCON devotees to enter Puri during the Rath Yatra to be held on July 16. He has also threatened ISKCON regarding taking out Rath Yatra in Bhubaneswar. It also said that “ISKCON has no right to stay in Odisha. We will ensure that ISKCON people are not present during the Rath Yatra in Puri and Bhubaneswar.
Hemant Rath said when ISKCON people do not respect our Jagannath culture, then why should we respect them in Puri? He has no work in Puri. Our workers will stop all activities of ISKCON in entire Odisha. Despite appeals, ISKCON has failed to follow the schedule for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. If the Society does not stop taking out Rath Yatras at wrong times across the world, all ISKCON temples will be targeted and locked. From
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