Odisha CM Criticizes West Bengal's Naming of Jagannath Temple

Odisha Chief Minister's Stance on Religious Sites

On Tuesday, Mohan Chandra Majhi, the Chief Minister of Odisha, emphasized that religious sites, referred to as 'dham', should be established based on the faith of the people rather than the pride of any individual or government.

Majhi was responding to a question regarding a letter he sent to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This letter addressed the controversy surrounding the naming of a temple in Digha as Jagannath Dham.

Without directly naming Banerjee, Majhi stated, “Dham have been established based on the faith of the people for centuries, and no individual or government can alter that. Adi Shankaracharya founded four dhams for Hindus, and Puri's Jagannath Dham is one of them.”

He further mentioned, “Yes, I did write to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, requesting her to refrain from referring to the Jagannath temple in Digha as a dham. However, instead of responding through the letter, she issued a statement that is unacceptable. This matter is rooted in the faith of millions, and it deserves respect.”

Majhi added, “Her (Banerjee's) statement reflects arrogance and pride. The people will respond to her at the appropriate time.” On May 6, he had written to Banerjee urging the West Bengal government to reconsider the use of the name Jagannath Dham concerning the recently established temple in Digha and to avoid using it in official naming, communication, and promotional materials.

Mamata Banerjee inaugurated this temple on April 30 in Digha, located in the Medinipur district of West Bengal.