Digha temple row: Why so much anger, asks WB CM; BJP hits back

It is for the past several days that tension is brewing among two neighbouring states- Odisha and West Bengal soon after the latter came up with a new Jagannath temple in Digha by tagging it as ‘Jagannath Dham’. 

It did not stop there; soon a trend was started on social media to boycott Puri, indicating towards a well-orchestrated plan or conspiracy against Odisha and its tourism.

Amidst the ongoing Digha Jagannath Temple controversy, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday broke her silence.

While talking  to reporters, the West Bengal CM said, "We respect the temple in Puri and we also respect Jagannath Dham. Kaali Temple, Gurdwaras and Shiva temples are everywhere across the country. Temples are there in all places...Why nothing is being said when BJP does something. Why is there so much of anger on this issue?"

The statements of West Bengal CM has not gone well with millions of Jagannath devotees as she has termed Digha temple as Jagannath Dham and referred Puri Srimandir as temple.

Is Mamata Playing Hindutva Card?

Jagannath Culture Researcher, Prafulla Rath said, “ It is alleged that West Bengal CM is a supporter of Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas and play a role in destroying Hinduism. Now, she wants to present a change in her stand by constructing a Jagannath temple in Digha.”

Rath further alleged that the West Bengal CM knows that Daitapatis do not have rights to do puja and it was done by them. Several ISKCON officials were present during the Digha temple inauguration. Be it Sandeshkhali or Murshidabad, everybody saw what happened in West Bengal.”

According to Rath, everybody knows that West Bengal CM imposes restrictions during Hindu festivals in her state and she can goes to any extent.

BJP Reacts Sharply 

BJP leader Surath Biswal said, “West Bengal CM sees everything in a political angle and is now trying to play with the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees. What BJP did? They (West Bengal) tagged Digha temple as Jagannath Dham and when entire Hindu society opposed such move, the West Bengal government is in a backfoot.”

The West Bengal government is unable to protect Hindus in their state and is now trying to  mislead Bengali devotees by constructing a Jagannath temple in Digha.

“They (West Bengal) can construct Jagannath Temple there is no objection. But tagging it as Jagannath Dham and saying that sacred wood used in Nabakalebar was used in construction of its temple deities is objectionable. The Odisha government is taking appropriate steps and ordered an investigation into the matter,”said Biswal.