Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is moving to amend the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to make filming and unauthorized photography inside the Puri shrine a punishable and cognizable offense. This action is a direct response to a series of recent security breaches involving individuals caught with hidden cameras, particularly spy cameras disguised as spectacles.
Chief Administrator of the SJTA Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee has proposed stricter penalties, including jail terms and non-bailable warrants for violations.
Key details of the proposed amendment and the context behind it are:
Current Legal Loopholes: Law enforcement officials have faced challenges in dealing with such incidents because the current law lacks a specific provision to adequately punish offenders. In some recent cases, police had to release the individuals after seizing their devices and getting a written undertaking due to the absence of a proper legal framework for punishment.
Proposed Penalties: The amendment aims to close these loopholes by introducing a provision for “cognizable offense,” meaning police would have the authority to arrest offenders without a warrant. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator, Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, has recommended stricter penalties, which may include not only fines but also imprisonment and non-bailable warrants. The goal is to create a strong deterrent against future violations.
Security Concerns: The sanctity and security of the 12th-century shrine are a top priority for the government and the temple administration. Incidents of filming have raised serious concerns about the potential for misuse of such footage and the overall security of the temple, a highly revered and sensitive religious site. The recent incidents have shown how difficult it is to detect these tiny, modern surveillance gadgets, as they are often only discovered when a flash blinks during a photo attempt.
Government’s Stance: Odisha’s Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, has issued a strong warning, emphasizing that anyone caught taking unauthorized photos or videos inside the temple will face severe legal action. The government is taking the matter seriously and is exploring all possible measures to tighten security and prevent further breaches of the temple’s sanctity.
The proposal has been sent to the Law Department for consideration and is part of a broader effort to strengthen temple administration and security in the face of modern challenges.