'Itna Gussa Kyu?': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Defends Calling Digha Temple 'Jagannath Dham' (VIDEO)

Howrah: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha, which has been labelled as "Jagannath Dham."

Addressing the issue, Banerjee emphasised the pluralistic nature of religious worship in India, saying, "We respect the temple in Puri and we also respect Jagannath Dham. Kaali Temple and Gurdwaras are everywhere across the country. Temples are there in all places...Why is there so much anger on this issue?"

Have a look at her statement here:

Odisha Government Seeks Clarification Over 'Dham' Title

The Odisha government has expressed concerns over the use of the term "Jagannath Dham" for the Digha temple, asserting that this title is traditionally reserved for the sacred temple in Puri.

State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced plans to send a formal letter to the West Bengal Chief Minister, urging the removal of the "Dham" designation from the Digha temple. He said, "This prestigious title is reserved for Puri, which is home to the main Jagannath Temple."

The controversy intensified following claims by senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra that he assisted in crafting the idols for the Digha temple using leftover sacred neem wood from Puri's 2015 Nabakalebara ceremony. These assertions prompted the Odisha government to initiate an inquiry into the matter.

Religious Leaders and Political Parties React

Religious figures from Puri have voiced strong objections to the naming of the Digha temple as "Jagannath Dham." Chief servitor Bhabani Das Mohapatra criticised the move, saying, "They cannot name like this. Dham is only Jagannath Dham. Any place apart from our char dham cannot be named as dham. This is a crime of Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee."

The controversy has also sparked political debates. While the BJP has accused the West Bengal government of cultural appropriation, the Trinamool Congress defended the establishment of the temple.

TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said, "If they (BJP) question the establishment of a Hindu temple, this shows their desperation. On one hand, BJP claims to be a 'Hinduwadi' party, on the other, they are raising questions on the pratishtha (sanctity) of the (Digha) temple."