Arrested Odisha godman's ashram was tourist spot

The arrested controversial Odisha godman Surendra Mishra alias Sura Baba’s Trahi Achyuta ashram at Jhinti in Balipatana near here was accorded the tag  “tourist destination” by the state government’s tourism department.

It has turned out to be a major embarrassment for the Naveeen Patnaik administration after the matter came to light.

 The mega luxurious ashram was set on fire by the local villagers last Sunday night alleging all kinds of illegal activities inside its premises.

The Bhubaneswar Police arrested the controversial godman and his two sons from the ashram on Monday. The government ordered a crime branch probe into the affairs of the ashram on Tuesday.

Confirming the tourist spot status for the defamed ashram which has already been sealed by the police, the state tourism minister Ashok Panda has said that it had been granted the same a long time ago.

 According to sources in the tourism department, an internal inquiry is already on as to how and on whose recommendation the controversial ashram was included in the list of state’s tourists destinations. Official procedure has already begun to delete the ashram’s name from the important list.

This development nevertheless prompted a section of the principal Opposition Congress to demand tourism minister Panda’s resignation over the issue.

The party has also demanded a thorough probe into the matter. The ruling BJD has appealed the Opposition not to politicise the matter.

 Observers feel that the Congress may also find itself in an embarrassing position vis-à-vis the issue as the arrested godman and his ashram was reportedly once visited by a former Congress chief minister and prime minister who were known for their links with godmen and religious activities.