Nine Bangladeshis were found to have entered the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, premises without proper authorisation. They were taking photographs and videos inside the sacred site.

After arresting the infiltrators, Odisha Police launched a thorough investigation to determine the intentions of the individuals and whether they had any ulterior motives for entering the temple. The authorities are also working closely with the Bangladeshi embassy to verify the identities of the apprehended individuals and to ensure that they are dealt with according to the law.

“We have received a complaint that some non-Hindu people from Bangladesh have entered the temple. We have detained nine Bangladeshis and started questioning them,” the additional superintendent of police said. The temple strictly permits entry only to Hindus, and legal action will be taken against those found to be non-Hindu, he added.

“We are verifying their passports. It was found that one of them is a Hindu. We are checking the passports of others. Preliminary investigation suggests that four of the nine detainees entered the temple,” he added.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad expressed concern over the security breach and urged the authorities to take strict action against those who disrespected the religious sanctity of the temple.

The incident has raised concerns about the security measures in place at the Jagannath Temple and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent such incidents in the future. The temple authorities have assured the public that they are taking steps to enhance security and prevent unauthorized entry into the premises.

The apprehension about these Bangladeshis has sparked a debate about the need for stricter border control measures to prevent illegal immigration and ensure the safety and security of religious sites in the region. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the religious beliefs and practices of others and upholding the sanctity of sacred sites.