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Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Sudarsan seeks PM's intervention
Bhubaneswar: Sand artiste Sudarsan Pattnaik on Tuesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the row over the West Bengal government calling a recently inaugurated Jagannath temple in the coastal town of Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'. The Padma Shri awardee, who is also a former member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), asserted that Puri's Jagannath temple is the 'original dham'. He said the West Bengal government calling the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham' was not acceptable to millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath. 'It has come to public attention, through an announcement by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, that the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha is being referred to as 'Jagannath Dham'. While the construction of a new temple dedicated to Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath is truly commendable and appreciated, the reference to it as 'Jagannath Dham' has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of His devotees around the world,' Pattnaik said in the letter to the Prime Miniater. As per sacred scriptures (shastras), there is only one recognised Jagannath Dham, which is in Puri, he said, adding that using this revered title for any other location may cause religious confusion and runs contrary to the long-standing spiritual traditions and cultural heritage of Hinduism. 'With deep respect and reverence, your unwavering devotion to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and your sincere efforts in preserving the rich Jagannath culture are widely acknowledged. I humbly request your kind attention to this matter and respectfully urge you to consider taking appropriate action,' Pattnaik said in the letter to Modi. Pattnaik had earlier written letters to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb seeking their intervention in the matter. Replying to journalists' queries on 'Boycott Puri' campaign on social media following the row, Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is also in charge of the Tourism department, said they (campaigners) have, in fact, brought Puri into focus. 'Such campaigns will not affect Puri's tourism, rather will add to its potential. As such, Puri is already highlighted among the tourists across the globe. We have blessings of Lord Jagannath and this campaign cannot harm us,' Parida said. On West Bengal government's portrayal of the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham', Parida said, 'The attempt to tarnish the image of Shree Jagannath culture and tradition by Mamata Banerjee is unbecoming of her stature.' Parida said the Odisha government, Gajapati Maharaja and Muktimandapa Pandit Sabha (the apex religious body of Puri) have already rejected the West Bengal government's portrayal of the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham'.
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.
