AKSHAYA KUMAR MALLICK Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Learned Counsel for the petitioner, Learned Counsel for the intervenor and the Learned Government Advocate

(2.) THE temple of Lord Jagannath situated at Keradagarh under Rajnagar Police Station in the district of Kendrapara is admittedly a public deity. It is stated that that said temple was constructed about 200 years back by the then Zamindar of Kanika and the idol of deities were installed therein. The petitioner belongs to Scheduled Caste and is stated to be representing, other members of the said caste. It is alleged by the petitioner that person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community are being obstructed by the caste Hindus (Sabarnas) from entering into the said temple to offer puja to Lord Jagannath. It has been further stated in the writ petition that such obstruction by the caste Hindus (Sabarnas) amounts to atrocities on the men and women belonging to the Scheduled Caste community.

(3.) THE petitioner, on the allegation that people belonging to the Scheduled Caste community of the locality are not being allowed to access to the temple in question even though the State has recognized their right to enter into the temple, has prayed in the present writ petition for issuance of a direction to the Opp. Parties to deploy minimum required force to ensure safe and free access of the members of the Scheduled Caste community intending to pay a 'DARSHAN' of the public and offer puja and to further direct the police to prevent the caste Hindus (Sabarnas) from committing atrocities on the members of the Scheduled Caste community in course of their entering into the temple.