Latest news with #BoycottPuri
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Now, Odisha threatens action against Bengal over 'Jagannath Dham' in Digha
Now, Odisha threatens action against Bengal over 'Jagannath Dham' in Digha BHUBANESWAR/KOLKATA: Odisha government threatened on Monday legal action against Bengal for naming a newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham", escalating an already bitter row that now spans religious tradition, regional pride, and political rivalry. Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit back, accusing BJP-governed Odisha of "jealousy" and of targeting Bengalis, while social media campaigns flared with hashtags like #BoycottPuri and #BoycottOdisha. Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan declared that "Dham" can only be associated with four sacred places - Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram, and Jagannath Puri - and said using it for Digha has "created anguish among devotees everywhere". Will bring SOPs for Jagannath temples outside Puri: Odisha Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo "We will also ask Bengal to stop referring to the beach near the Digha temple as Mahodadhi, a term found in scriptures describing the beach at Puri," Harichandan said. Puri's titular king and Lord Jagannath's chief servitor Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb condemned the use of the term "Jagannath Dham" for the Digha shrine, which was inaugurated on April 30. He said the term is exclusive to Puri. Citing ancient scriptures and Muktimandapa Pandit Sabha, Deb urged Digha temple authorities to "desist from calling it Jagannath Dham". Odisha announced it would introduce SOPs for all Jagannath temples outside Puri, defining the roles of servitors after some participated in the Digha temple's consecration - a move seen by many in Odisha as a breach of sacred tradition. For her part, CM Banerjee lashed out at Odisha and other BJP-governed states, accusing them of hostility and discrimination. "When Mamata Banerjee builds skywalks at Dakshineswar or Kalighat, nobody raises a question. When I celebrate Durga and Kali puja, there's no outrage. Then why this animosity over Jagannath Dham?" she asked. "Why is there so much jealousy?" Speaking in violence-hit Murshidabad, Banerjee accused Odisha of "thrashing" Bengali-speaking people and said Bengalis are being assaulted in several BJP-governed states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, and UP. "You are attacking our migrant workers for speaking Bengali but we will not do the same. That is the difference between you and me," she said. "We have reached out to Odisha, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Our DGP has spoken to Odisha's DGP. Our chief secretary is writing to the Union home secretary. I hope good sense prevails." TMC MP and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan claimed that 20,000 Bengali workers fled Odisha after recent assaults - a charge Odisha revenue minister Suresh Pujari dismissed, advising Pathan to "stick to cricket commentary". Odisha police reported no complaints of such attacks. Banerjee reminded Odisha of Bengal's support during natural disasters. "You seek engineers from us during cyclones. Bengal sends the maximum number of tourists to Puri. So why the outrage if we build a Jagannath Dham in Digha?" she asked. Odisha government earlier notified that people should not visit the Digha temple, a move Banerjee condemned. "We all visit Puri, but never ask questions. Why is this bothering them so much?" she said. "I love Puri. I love Odisha. But please, don't behave like this."
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Odisha threatens Bengal with legal action over ‘Jagannath Dham' issue
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Monday threatened Bengal with legal action over naming of West Bengal's Digha Jagannath temple as 'Jagannath Dham', as a festering relationship between the two neighbours worsened. The ongoing controversy has escalated into a BJP versus TMC battle with Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee describing the temple as 'Jagannath Dham' publicly and describing its criticism as selective BJP outrage. This is not the first time the two states have locked horns as allegations and counter-allegations over attacks on Bengali migrants in Odisha and Bengal stopping potato supplies, triggering a crisis in Odisha, affected their relationship. Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said dhams can be associated with only four holy places, Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri (Jagannath), and Rameswaram. "The Digha issue has created anguish among devotees everywhere. Odisha will also ask Bengal to stop calling the beach near Digha temple as Mahodadhi, which describes the beach in Puri," Harichandan said. The controversy has sparked social media campaigns calling for #BoycottPuri and #BoycottOdisha, leading to heated exchanges between protesters and Odisha residents across various platforms. Joining the issue, Puri scion Gajapati Dibbyasingha Deb, who is considered first and foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, took strong exception to the description of the new shrine as 'Jagannath Dham', saying the name can't be used for any place other than Puri. The Puri scion in a statement said 'Jagannath Dham' besides Purusottama Kshetra, Shreekshetra and Neelachala Dham refer only to Puri, the eternal abode of the Supreme Lord, and can't be used to refer to any other place. Deb cited the opinion of Muktimandapa Pandit Sabha, the top council of scholars in Puri temple, and proclamations in sacred scriptures, to prove his point while urging authorities of Digha temple "to desist from calling it Jagannath Dham." According to Deb, "Temples of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath around the world should honour and uphold the glorious heritage of Lord Jagannath." Disrespect to traditions and heritage will hurt religious sentiments of countless devotees around the world, he added. Earlier, speaking at a public meeting in violence-hit Murshidabad, the Bengal CM said, "When Mamata Banerjee gets skywalks built in Dakshineswar temple, no one questions. When Mamata Banerjee performs Durga puja and Kali puja, no one objects. Then why is there so much animosity regarding Jagannath Dham?" She added, "Why is there so much jealousy about Jagannath Dham? When you face shortage of potato, Bengal provides. I love Odisha. When a cyclone hits Odisha, damages power infrastructure, we send our engineers to help out. Bengal sends maximum tourists to Odisha, they go to Puri throughout the year, attends Rath Yatra. If we have built a Jagannath Dham, why are you against the idea?" Referring to alleged assault of Bengalis in Odisha recently, which has been dismissed by the Odisha govt, Mamata said, "Why are you people assaulting Bengalis? I have heard that people are being assaulted if they speak in Bengali." In response to the dispute, the Odisha govt also announced it would introduce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all Jagannath shrines outside Puri. The guidelines will also address the roles of Puri temple servitors after some reportedly defied tradition by participating in the Digha temple's consecration ceremony. The govt had earlier decided to send a letter to Mamata to drop using the term 'Dham' for the Digha shrine. TMC MP Yusuf Pathan's claim about 20,000 Bengali workers fleeing Odisha due to alleged assaults was strongly refuted by Odisha revenue minister Suresh Pujari, who advised the former cricketer to "stick to cricket commentary". While Pathan wrote to home minister Amit Shah about "brutal attacks" on workers from Berhampore and Murshidabad, Odisha police reported no such complaints. Last year, relationship between the states soured when West Bengal's potato export ban triggered a crisis in Odisha, forcing prices to surge to Rs 55-60 per kg. The situation led to protests and blockades of vehicles carrying essential goods to West Bengal, compelling Odisha to source potatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
