Odissi dancer says Puri priests manhandled her

They asked me to pay Rs 1,000 and I said I wont pay anything more than Rs 20. I was shocked when the servitors called me a foreigner and hit me on my head. The Rathyatra is supposed to be the occasion when non-Hindus can see the deity up close. So why this discrimination? she asked.

Citaristi said she did not face any problem till she climbed the chariot. The only problem was money. They took for a foreigner and expected more money. This is outrageous, she said.

Shocked at the misbehaviour,Citaristi got down from the chariot and met the temple chief administrator Dr Arvind Padhee seeking action against the servitors. She also sent a separate complaint to the Puri SP.

Padhee said he regretted the incident. I have personally expressed my regret to Ms Citaristi. We have been telling our priests to behave well with the devotees. I have asked the Singhadwar police inspector to inquire into the matter, he said.

The head priest of Daitapati Nijog,a body of servitors,Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra also condemned the incident. Last year,an American tourist was manhandled on Lord Jagannaths chariot during Rath Yatra.

In September 2012,at least 60-odd servitors were booked in criminal cases ranging from theft,extortion,murder,criminal intimidation,molestation and wrongful restraint lodged against them. In August 2012,a servitor was arrested for plotting the murder of a fellow servitor of the temple.