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 authorities threatened on Monday authorized action against Bengal for naming a newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham”, escalating an already bitter row that now spans spiritual custom, regional delight, and political rivalry.
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit again, accusing BJP-governed Odisha of “jealousy” and of concentrating on Bengalis, whereas social media campaigns flared with hashtags like #BoycottPuri and #BoycottOdisha.
Odisha regulation minister Prithiviraj Harichandan declared that “Dham” can solely be related to 4 sacred locations – Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram, and Jagannath Puri – and stated utilizing it for Digha has “created anguish among devotees everywhere”.
Will deliver SOPs for Jagannath temples outdoors Puri: Odisha
“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 stated.
Puri’s titular king and Lord Jagannath’s chief servitor Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb condemned the usage of the time period “Jagannath Dham” for the Digha shrine, which was inaugurated on April 30. He stated the time period is unique to Puri. Citing historic scriptures and Muktimandapa Pandit Sabha, Deb urged Digha temple authorities to “desist from calling it Jagannath Dham”.
Odisha introduced it will introduce SOPs for all Jagannath temples outdoors Puri, defining the roles of servitors after some participated in the Digha temple’s consecration – a transfer seen by many in Odisha as a breach of sacred custom.
For her half, CM Banerjee lashed out at Odisha and different 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 requested. “Why is there so much jealousy?”
Speaking in violence-hit Murshidabad, Banerjee accused Odisha of “thrashing” Bengali-speaking individuals and stated Bengalis are being assaulted in a number of BJP-governed states, together with 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 stated. “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 employees fled Odisha after current assaults – a cost Odisha income minister Suresh Pujari dismissed, advising Pathan to “stick to cricket commentary”. Odisha police reported no complaints of such assaults.
Banerjee reminded Odisha of Bengal’s help throughout pure 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 requested.
Odisha authorities earlier notified that folks shouldn’t go to the Digha temple, a transfer Banerjee condemned. “We all visit Puri, but never ask questions. Why is this bothering them so much?” she stated. “I love Puri. I love Odisha. But please, don’t behave like this.”