NHRC issues notice to Odisha Govt on mishap at 11th century Lingaraj temple during high-risk climb ritual

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Odisha Government on a mishap which left a priest seriously injured at the 11th-century Lingaraj temple, the famous ASI-protected Shavite shrine in Bhubaneswar.

The mishap occurred on 26 February night during Maha Shivratri, where Sevayat Jogendra Samartha of the Samartha Nijog sustained critical injuries after falling from a height of nearly 20 feet while carrying the sacred ‘Mahadeepa’ (holy lamp) to the peak of the medieval era Shree Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

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Acting on a complaint filed by Mr Akhand, a human rights lawyer, the top rights panel asked the District Magistrate, Khurda, and the Special Secretary, Home Department, to furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) within one week.

The matter has been listed for hearing during the NHRC’s Camp Sitting/Open Hearing scheduled for 21 July 2025 in Bhubaneswar. The Commission has also directed that all officials concerned, the complainant, and the victim or their representatives be present at the hearing.

Radha Kishan Sharma, Special Secretary, Home Department, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for coordinating the participation of the parties involved and ensuring necessary assistance for their presence at the hearing.

The incident exposed the absence of safety measures for sevayats (priests) who routinely undertake high-risk climbs in temples such as Shree Lingaraj Temple and the Jagannath Temple in Puri to perform traditional rituals. Despite being state-managed temples, there is a glaring lack of safety equipment like harnesses, helmets, or other protective gear for servitors, thereby endangering their lives. Such neglect amounts to a violation of their fundamental right to life and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner Akhand maintained.

The petition also urged the NHRC to ensure the introduction of mandatory safety gear and protective protocols for sevayats across Odisha, conduct an independent inquiry into the Lingaraj Temple incident, ensure adequate compensation to the injured sevayat, and issue preventive directions to safeguard the rights and lives of all temple servitors.