Temple or cultural centre? BJP questions Bengal's Jagannath Dham project
The West Bengal BJP on Sunday posed a series of questions to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over the construction of a Puri-like Jagannath temple, reigniting a political controversy ahead of its inauguration.Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, wrote an open letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi, seeking clarification on whether a Jagannath temple or a cultural centre was being built at Digha.He pointed out that the invitation card for the opening ceremony lacked clarity and stated that he would attend the event only if his concerns were addressed.Adhikari raised concerns about whether a 'Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra' was being constructed at Digha, as indicated in the invitation. Referring to his invitation to the 'Prana Pratishtha' ceremony, he questioned whether the event was for a cultural centre or a temple. He demanded that the invitation card be reissued with "clear and accurate information".advertisement"The tender documents of West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation reveal that 'Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra' has been built at Digha? You are inviting me to attend the 'Prana Pratistha' Ceremony. Will you clarify whether 'Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra' (cultural centre) is being inaugurated or Jagannath Temple is being inaugurated? You must reprint the Invitation Card with proper clarity. You can also send me a reply clarifying whether HIDCO has built a Temple or a Cultural Centre," he wrote.Additionally, the BJP leader questioned whether the maintenance, management and upkeep of the 'Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra' or Jagannath Temple will be handled by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO). Adhikari is the Vice Chairperson of the board.
He also sought clarification on the identity of the chairperson of WBHIDCO, as the website lists 'Janab Firhad Hakim', Urban Development Minister, in the role. If that is indeed the case, he questioned why Hakim's name was not printed on the invitation.advertisementAdhikari further enquired about Hakim's involvement with the structure under construction, pointing to media rumours suggesting that he had been removed from his position as chairperson without ceremony. If this were true, he asked, 'Why is Firhad Hakim's name still listed as the HIDCO Chairman?'A series of questions were raised regarding the donations, specifically whether they would be considered "temple property" or treated as part of the corporation's revenue. Adhikari also enquired about the staff appointments, asking about the qualifications required to become a staff member and whether non-Hindus would be considered for positions.In an attempt to ignite a religious debate, he posed his final question, stating that if Digha's Jagannath Dham was modelled after the Puri Jagannath Dham, then, according to the latter's rules, the entry of non-Hindus would be prohibited.Concluding his statement, he asked, 'Since the WB Government or HIDCO (a Public Sector Undertaking) controls the site, can it discriminate when appointing individuals based on religion?'In December last year, Adhikari had questioned the construction, saying the Jagannath Temple in Puri was one of the Char Dhams and "replicating" it was unacceptable. He argued that public funds should not be used for constructing religious sites.
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