Jagannath temple controversy: CM Mamata Banerjee prepares for inauguration amid political firestorm
As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee prepares to inaugurate the newly built Jagannath temple in Digha, located in the Purba Medinipur district, controversy has erupted around the project. The temple, built at a budget of Rs 250 crores, was announced in 2018, with construction beginning in 2022.
Pre-inauguration rituals have been underway since last Friday, culminating in a mahayagna on Tuesday, where CM Banerjee herself performed the purnahuti (final offering).
The formal consecration of the deity (pran pratishtha), as well as the temple’s inauguration, are scheduled for Wednesday, coinciding with the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.
Additional yajnas are planned for the day, with sadhus conducting rituals across the temple premises, while ISKCON priests will perform ceremonies inside the main shrine of the temple.
“People from all religions and communities have come here. Everyone is our guest. Faith is never something to be preached with words. It is something that touches the heart,” CM Banerjee said, in an interaction with the press after participating in the mahayagna.
However, the inauguration has not been without controversy. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has raised concerns regarding the nature and governance of the temple. He cited tender documents that described the structure as the “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre”, and not a temple.
“Yet the invitation I received from HIDCO Vice Chairman Hari Krishna Dwivedi refers to it as ‘Jagannath Dham, Digha’,” Adhikari said. “Since public funds were used, it cannot be classified as a temple.”
Earlier on X, he posted the pictures of the invitation he received: allegedly the official tender document of HIDCO. He stated that he had been invited to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and asked for clarification on whether the event marked the inauguration of the Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre or the Jagannath Temple.
Adhikari further questioned whether HIDCO, a state-run entity, would be responsible for the temple’s upkeep, pointing out that its official website still lists Minister Firhad Hakim as its chairman.
He argued that since the Digha temple was modelled after the Jagannath Temple in Puri, it should follow the same rules and restrict entry to non-Hindus.
“If any non-Hindu enters the Digha temple during its inauguration, we will identify and share their photos on social media,” Adhikari warned. “Non-Hindus who have received invitations should be cautious.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Adhikari's call for a gathering of one lakh Hindus in Contai, which is also part of the Purba Medinipur district, took a hit. After the local administration denied them permission, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday allowed the gathering, but with only 3000 people.
It was claimed that several high-profile personalities such as Yog Guru Baba Ramdev and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath could visit the Sanatani Hindu Sammelan at Contai.
India