TV
In the wake of mounting opposition and a political storm, the West Bengal government has reportedly removed the ‘Jagannath Dham’ signage from the newly built Jagannath temple premises in Digha. The move comes after strong objections were raised from various quarters, especially in Odisha, where concerns were expressed over the religious and cultural implications of referring to Digha temple as a “Jagannath Dham”—a title traditionally associated with the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The removal of the nameplate was first highlighted by BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share the update.
In his post, Malviya uploaded two images—one showing the temple with the 'Jagannath Dham' signboard and the other showing the same location after its removal.
"After strong protests from devotees of Prabhu Jagannath, the West Bengal government was forced to quietly remove the misleading ‘Dham’ signage in Digha. This is a significant victory for Hindu unity and a setback to Mamata Banerjee’s divisive agenda. When Hindus stand united, no political manipulation can succeed. Jai Jagannath!,” wrote Malviya.
His remarks appeared to be aimed at the West Bengal government’s earlier decision to name the temple complex as ‘Jagannath Dham Digha’, a move that was perceived by many in Odisha as an encroachment on the sanctity and identity of the original Jagannath Dham in Puri.
Dham Still Exists on Website
However, even as the physical nameplate has reportedly been taken down from the temple compound in Digha, the controversy seems far from over. It has been observed that the term ‘Jagannath Dham Digha’ still prominently features on the temple's official website and other government-related materials. In fact, several administrative buildings and portals linked to the temple project continue to describe it using the disputed title.
Critics argue that the partial rollback—removing the signage but retaining the term in official communication—amounts to symbolic damage control rather than a full retraction.
“This is not just a naming issue. The term ‘Dham’ carries deep religious and scriptural significance. Its casual and political usage can lead to confusion and dilute the sanctity of the original Jagannath Dham in Puri,” said a scholar from Odisha.
The Odisha government, which had earlier warned of legal action over the unauthorized use of religious terminology, has yet to respond officially to this latest development.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan had previously stated that only four places—Puri, Badrinath, Rameswaram, and Dwarka—are recognized as ‘Dhams’ as per Hindu scriptures, and any attempt to apply the term elsewhere is misleading and potentially divisive.
The unfolding controversy continues to stir emotions in both Odisha and West Bengal, touching upon matters of religious identity, cultural heritage, and political symbolism. Observers note that unless all official references to ‘Jagannath Dham Digha’ are withdrawn, the debate is likely to persist, potentially affecting inter-state relations and public sentiment.
As of now, the issue remains under scrutiny, with public reactions continuing to pour in across social media platforms. Whether this partial removal will satisfy all stakeholders or lead to further actions, including legal ones, remains to be seen.
East Medinipur Police denies signage removal
Later in the day, the East Medinipur Police refuted reports claiming that the ‘Jagannath Dham’ signage near Digha Jagannath Temple was removed. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the police clarified that no such action has been taken and labeled the circulating news as a rumour.
Taking to the social media, East Medinipur Police wrote, “Rumours are being spread from certain corners that under pressure from various groups, Government of West Bengal has removed different signage of Shri Digha Jagannath Dham.”
The clarification comes in response to claims that, under pressure from various organisations, the West Bengal government had allegedly taken down the ‘Jagannath Dham’ signboard near the temple.
