Puri, Nov 9: Congress on Thursday staged a protest titled 'Sankirtan Satyagrah' here and in other parts of Odisha, demanding the opening of the Shree Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar (Treasure House) for repair and inventory of ornaments and Chari Dwar (Four gates) for entry of devotees, at the earliest.

Party activists led by PCC president Sarat Pattanayak undertook the unique agitation in front of the Singha Dwar of the shrine.

"We have placed the two major demands in the interest of crores of devotees of Lord Jagannat," said the activists.

They said the rush of devotees could come under control once the four gates of the shrine are opened for them.

"Opening of the Ratna Bhandar for repair and making an inventory of ornaments and jewels is a longstanding demand of Odia people. The High Court has already issued a direction in this regard. But the state government has not taken any interest in this regard,' rued the activists.

Earlier, the party had staged a massive rally in front of the temple and handed over a memorandum to the Shree Jagannath Temple chief administrator here on October 16. The party had then declared to take to the streets in a big way if the demands were not met by November 9.

As the demands remained unfulfilled, the party staged the 'Sankirtan Satyagrah' today.

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