Pandian challenges PM Modi to locate Ratna Bhandar keys with his supposed knowledge.

In a recent statement, Kartik Pandian, a close aide to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, expressed his views on the missing keys to the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure warehouse of the Jagannath Temple. He mentioned that it would be beneficial if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could find these keys, given his extensive knowledge on the matter. This issue has been a sensitive one in the state and has now become a significant topic in the ongoing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with both Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing it in their rallies.

Pandian also responded to Modi's statement about the keys possibly being in Tamil Nadu, given his Tamil origins. He stated that the Prime Minister should use his knowledge and authority to find the whereabouts of the keys and enlighten the people of Odisha. When asked about Modi's political statement, Pandian simply replied that they would take it as such. He also mentioned that in the past decade, when BJP ministers were handling the issue, the keys were still missing, so they should take responsibility for finding them.

The Ratna Bhandar has two chambers - an outer chamber that stores the daily ornaments of the deities and an inner chamber that has not been opened in nearly four decades. In 2018, the keys to the inner chamber were found to be missing, which led to an inspection by the Orissa High Court. The state government formed a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to look into the matter. Although the original keys are missing, there is a duplicate key. When asked if the Ratna Bhandar would be opened, Pandian confirmed that a date has been set for its opening, but did not provide further details.

He also mentioned that the High Court has ordered the Ratna Bhandar to be opened at a specific time, which they have decided to do during the Rath Yatra in July. This is to ensure that the sanctity of the lord is not affected, and pilgrims are not present during the opening. Pandian extended an invitation to Modi to witness the opening of the Ratna Bhandar, which has not been done in 40 years. The inner chamber can only be opened during the Rath Yatra period, when the deities are taken out of the temple for nine days. The managing committee of the temple has stated in an affidavit to the High Court that the Ratna Bhandar will be opened during this period for an inventory of ornaments and repairs to the inner chamber.

The managing committee of the Jagannath Temple is headed by Gajapati Maharaj Vidyasingha Deva, while the Shree Jagannathj Temple Administration is responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the temple. With the issue of the missing keys gaining political attention, it remains to be seen if they will be found and the Ratna Bhandar will be opened after four decades.

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