Members of Jagannath Sena protest against Baba Ramdev’s statement in Puri on Friday. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 21: Devotees of Sri Jagannath in Puri have lodged a complaint against yoga guru Baba Ramdev with the Singhadwara police station for his statement that devotees, irrespective of their religions, should be allowed to enter the Sri Jagananth Temple.

His remarks caused a furore among devotees, including the priests of the temple. They staged a demonstration and demanded action against the yoga guru. Baba Ramdev was in the temple town on Thursday. The 12th century shrine is open only to Hindus.

“We have lodged a complaint as Baba Ramdev has violated the principles of Hinduism by advocating the entry of non-Hindus to the shrine,” said Priyadarhsi Patnaik, convenor of Jagannath Sena, an organisation working for protection of the temple’s culture.

Ramdev had said in his statement: “Any devotee, irrespective of religion, who comes with feeling of devotion should be allowed to see Lord Jagannath in the temple. However, devotees in inebriated state or chewing guthka or taking other intoxicants should not be allowed inside. The temple administration and authorities will only take appropriate decision on this issue.”

The Jagannath Sevayata Sammilani, an organisation represented by the sevayats (priests) of the temple, burnt effigies of Baba Ramdev and held a demonstration before the Jagannath temple and Puri king’s palace today.