Jharsuguda, Odisha: The revered Jhadeswar Temple premises in Jharsuguda are witnessing a sharp rise in anti social activities day by day. Locals have reported that during the afternoons, some youth enter the temple premises to consume alcohol, ganja, and charas. These antisocial youths act without fear or concern for the temple or the devotees, thus disturbing the sanctity of the sacred Jhadeswar Temple premises.
One serious incident occurred on Wednesday night when 8 to 9 youths arrived on multiple bikes around 2 AM. They consumed intoxicants openly and vandalized shops selling puja items, breaking doors, windows, and items on display. Within the temple premises, in their fear of being caught, they forcibly removed one of the CCTV cameras installed.
The next morning, the temple committee members reviewed all the CCTV footage. They expressed shock at the audacity and extent of the damage. They immediately filed a written complaint at the Town Police Station. The police have assured swift action to apprehend the culprits and restore peace in the vicinity of the temple.
Earlier, during the district festival on January 2, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had visited Jharsuguda and promised development for the temple. Following this, Urban Development Minister Krushnachandra Mahapatra visited on September 6. He laid foundation stones for various projects, including the eco-park and overall temple development. Unfortunately, acts of vandalism occurred the very next day, September 7, when some miscreants vandalized the newly laid foundation stone plaques by tearing off stickers around the temple grounds.
The rising anti social acts in the Jhadeswar Temple premises have alarmed devotees and locals alike. Authorities must take urgent measures to ensure the safety of worshippers and protect temple property. Furthermore, they need to preserve the spiritual sanctity of this revered site. Local residents have urged stronger monitoring and strict penalties for such unlawful acts in the Jhadeswar Temple.
