Bhubaneswar: Security concerns have escalated in the sacred town of Puri following the discovery of threatening graffiti on the walls of a temple near the Jagannath Temple (Srimandir), sparking panic among residents and prompting swift action from law enforcement.
The alarming graffiti appeared on August 13 at the Budhi Maa Thakurani temple, located near the Balisahi entrance of the Heritage Corridor (Parikrama Prakalpa), adjacent to the southern side of the Srimandir. The messages, inscribed in multiple locations, included chilling phrases such as “Terrorists will destroy the temple” and specifically mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Several phone numbers and instructions to “call” were also written, further intensifying concerns of a potential terror threat.
In addition to the graffiti, unidentified miscreants reportedly damaged decorative lighting fixtures in the vicinity, deepening fears among locals. This area falls within a high-security zone, monitored by numerous CCTV cameras and patrolled by security personnel. The fact that such an incident could occur undetected raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing security measures.
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Pinak Mishra confirmed that a special police team has been deployed to track down the individual responsible for the act. “We have received information that someone was seen roaming the area and may have been writing on the temple walls. Eyewitnesses have reported suspicious activity, though the suspect’s identity has not yet been clearly established,” SP Mishra stated.
The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from operational cameras and have begun tracing the phone numbers found in the graffiti to gather leads. “Our special team is actively searching for the suspect. Once the individual is apprehended, a thorough interrogation will be conducted, and detailed information will be shared,” the SP added.
This incident has reignited longstanding concerns over the security of one of India’s most revered religious sites. Despite repeated recommendations from the Union Home Ministry and the National Security Guard (NSG) to strengthen the security infrastructure around the Srimandir, several CCTV cameras along the Parikrama Marg are reportedly non-functional. Locals allege that the multi-crore surveillance system was installed more for appearance than for actual monitoring.
“This is not an isolated incident. There have been multiple breaches in the past, including individuals entering the temple with concealed spy cameras or scaling the walls,” said a concerned local resident, calling for urgent reforms.
Authorities have assured that all necessary steps are being taken to fortify the temple’s security. However, this incident underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive overhaul of the current security mechanisms to prevent future threats to this iconic spiritual landmark.
