Puri: Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy on Friday said the ongoing controversy over the Srimandir Parikrama project should end.
Mr.Swamy told this to the media after meeting Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalalanda Saraswati here at Gobardhan Peetha.
Stating that he was aware of the controversies surrounding the project, Mr.Swamy said there is a need to end the controversy.
“I am aware of the controversies surrounding the project. The temples were the hub of knowledge and innovation and Kings used to frequently pay visits to the places. It is everybody’s duty to protect our temples,” the BJP leader told reporters.
Mr.Swamy said he will take up this issue to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “Biju Patnaik was a close friend and I have good relations with his son and present Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. I will take up the issue and speak to Naveen. There is a need to end the controversy,” he added.
Mr.Swamy further said temples should be free from government control. “I have always been saying that religious institutions should be protected and the State Government/ Administration should assist in functioning and they should not take control,” he said. A government can intervene if there are some irregularities, he added.
Mr.Swamy’s meeting with the Shankaracharya has assumed significance as the Seer had opposed the Srimandir project twice during the last one week and cautioned the State Government over the issue.
