The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday raised serious concerns over the safety of jewellery and valuables stored in Lord Jagannath’s Ratna Bhandar at Puri, accusing the Odisha BJP government of misleading the public in the name of religion.

The regional outfit also expressed concern over the delay in conducting an inventory of the valuables, even after they were shifted back to the Ratna Bhandar following its repair September 23.

The items from both the inner and outer chambers of the treasury had earlier been moved to temporary strong rooms when the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) opened the inner chamber for repairs in July 2024—its first opening in 46 years.

At a press conference, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia, who hails from Puri town, alleged that the BJP government’s intenti

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