The opposition leader expressed disappointment and said the incident had deeply shocked millions of devotees across the world. He said that the holy trinity is the supreme deity of the Oriya people and symbolizes Oriya asmita or Oriya self-identity.

“The incident that happened during his Pahandi this year is unheard of and unique. The scene of Bada Thakur falling face down during Charmala Pahandi was heart-wrenching. Such an unfortunate incident was unheard of in the thousands of years of history of the Rath Utsav. “It was impossible for Jagannath devotees to believe what they were seeing live that day,” Patnaik wrote.

He also took a dig at the statements of Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who termed the accident as a minor incident.

“The way some members of the Odisha Cabinet made lewd comments on such a sensitive subject has doubled the grief of Jagannath lovers. This incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of all the devotees of God. Such insensitive attitude of the government could not soothe the wounded sentiments of Jagannath devotees,” said LOP Patnaik.

He also urged the Chief Minister to take personal responsibility and ensure that such an incident does not happen again.

Naveen Patnaik said, "I am confident that your exemplary steps in this direction will help reassure crores of devotees of Lord Jagannath."