Digha Jagannath Temple Controversy: 'Why so much anger against us’, says Mamata Banerjee

Bhubaneswar, May 5: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has responded to the escalating controversy over the recently inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha and asked, “Why so much anger against us? There are Kali temples and Shiva temples everywhere—so what’s the issue if there is a Jagannath temple in Digha? We worship and respect Lord Jagannath too. Why is the BJP so agitated? We honour Jagannath Dham and have deep devotion for Puri.”

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The dispute emerged after the West Bengal government declared the Digha temple as a "Jagannath Dham", a move that has sparked opposition from sections of Sanatan Dharma followers and Jagannath devotees. Critics argue that equating the Digha temple with the sacred Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri undermines the unique spiritual and historical sanctity of the original temple.

 Reacting sharply over Digha Jagannath temple controversy, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that West Bengal has no authority to designate any location outside Puri as a Jagannath Dham. “We will be writing to the West Bengal government. There is no justification for such a declaration. The sanctity of our culture, temples, and traditions is protected and must remain intact,” he said, adding that the matter may have political undercurrents but cannot override cultural sanctity.

Also Read: Odisha Govt calls for probe into Puri servitors’ role in Digha Jagannath temple rituals

In a related development, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has issued a show-cause notice to Daitapati Nijoga sevayat Ramkrishna Dasmahapatra for allegedly making misleading statements about the Digha temple, which the SJTA claims have caused confusion and diminished the dignity of the Puri shrine.

Dasmahapatra has been directed to respond within seven days. The notice warns that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation may lead to disciplinary action under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act of 1955.

The SJTA clarified that as per established tradition, the sacred wood (Balka Daru) left over after carving the deities is to be stored in the temple’s Daru Ghara (Wood House) and used for future rituals. Despite being aware of these practices, the servitor’s recent statements have been deemed misleading.

Also Read: Controversy over Digha Jagannath Temple: Senior servitor quizzed over use of sacred wood

As the row intensifies, religious sentiments and political tensions continue to flare over what constitutes a true Jagannath Dham.