Odisha Government's Stand on Digha Temple Naming: A Firm Response to West Bengal

Odisha Law Minister Addresses Digha Temple Naming Controversy

Bhubaneswar: On Sunday, Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that the state will formally address the West Bengal government regarding the naming of the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham'.

During a press briefing in Bhubaneswar, Harichandan stated, "I will inform Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi about this matter upon his return to Odisha, and we will send a letter to West Bengal explaining that there is no valid reason for the Digha temple to be referred to as 'Jagannath Dham'. The sanctity and traditions of the Jagannath Temple in Puri must remain preserved, and the state will take necessary actions to ensure this."

The Law Minister noted that the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri has already engaged in discussions with representatives from the Chhatisha Nijoga, which oversees the traditional servitors' roles and rituals.

Decisions regarding this matter were made by the temple administration on Saturday night.

Harichandan emphasized that the government is adopting a stringent approach to prevent any future disruptions related to temple services, rituals, and cultural practices.

The temple administration has been authorized to take suitable measures concerning this issue.

Additionally, the Law Minister criticized the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), citing instances of 'mismanagement' at the Jagannath temple in Puri during the 24 years of BJD governance under Naveen Patnaik.

He attributed the rise in 'indiscipline and mismanagement' within temple operations to the previous BJD administration.

Previously, the BJD had launched a strong critique of the West Bengal government for naming the Digha Jagannath Temple as 'Jagannath Dham'.

The party also urged the Odisha government and temple administration to clarify claims made by a senior Daitapati servitor regarding the use of remnants from sacred Neem trees (Daaru) in crafting the idols at the Digha temple, which were reportedly used during the Nabakalebara ceremony in Puri in 2015.

On Friday, Minister Harichandan ordered an inquiry into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Digha Temple in West Bengal.