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Key Points

BJP's Amit Malviya has sharply criticized the West Bengal government over its advertisement for the Digha Jagannath temple, claiming it disrespects Hindu sentiments. The controversy centers on the temple being described as a "Cultural Centre" instead of a traditional temple in official documents. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has demanded an immediate name change in all government records. The dispute highlights ongoing political tensions between the BJP and Mamata Banerjee's ruling party in West Bengal.

Key Points: Amit Malviya Slams Mamata's Jagannath Temple Ad Controversy

  • BJP challenges naming of Digha temple as cultural centre
  • Suvendu Adhikari demands official name correction
  • Mamata Banerjee inaugurates temple with controversy
  • WBHIDCO documents use controversial temple description
3 min read

'Deeply disgraceful', Amit Malviya flags Bengal govt's ad on Jagannath Cultural Complex event

BJP leader Amit Malviya criticizes West Bengal govt's cultural complex ad, alleging disrespect to Hindu sentiments and Lord Jagannath

"It is deeply disgraceful that the Mamata Banerjee government's advertisements... appeared to promote inappropriate content - Amit Malviya"

Kolkata, May 1

BJP’s Information Technology Cell chief and the party’s central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya, on Thursday raised question on why the West Bengal government had officially described the Lord Jagannath temple at Digha in East Midnapore district as “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre” in official documents of the state government.

In a statement issued by Malviya, which was posted on his official X handle in the morning, he also claimed that the advertisements of the state government on the Digha temple, arguably a cultural centre, were inappropriate in content.

“It is deeply disgraceful that the Mamata Banerjee government’s advertisements for the inauguration of the Jagannath Cultural Complex in Digha appeared to promote inappropriate content,” Malviya commented.

He has also described such advertisements as a deliberate insult to Hindu sentiments and a profound disrespect to the devotees of Lord Jagannath.

“Such actions reflect a lack of genuine devotion, driven instead by regressive and cynical political motives,” Malviya’s statement read.

His post on X also highlighted the advertisements.

The inauguration of the Digha temple, reportedly modelled after the iconic Shree Jagannath Dham Temple in Puri, Odisha, took place with much pomp and grandeur on Wednesday in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the records of West Bengal Housing Development Corporation (WBHIDCO), the autonomous body of the state government and the implementing agency for the construction of the Digha temple, the construction has been identified as “Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre”.

Political observers feel that this was done deliberately to avoid controversies, since ideally, no state government can directly be involved with any affair of a religious institution.

Earlier, controversies surfaced over the Digha temple as the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, challenged the Chief Minister's claims that the Lord Jagannath temple in Digha has been modelled after the iconic Puri Temple.

Adhikari challenged the Chief Minister to clarify why the proposed temple had been named Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre and not Shree Jagannath Temple.

"The Chief Minister should immediately give instructions so that the name is changed from 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' to 'Shree Jagannath Temple' in all the related state government documents.

"The name change should also be made in the tenders and documents of WBHIDCO, responsible for the construction of the proposed temple at Digha, the cost of which is borne from the state government’s exchequer," the LoP claimed.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Why is there always politics around religious places? Whether it's called a temple or cultural center, what matters is people's faith. Both BJP and TMC are using this for their agendas. 🙏
P
Priya M.
As a Bengali Hindu, I find this very concerning. Jagannath Temple is not just any cultural center - it's a sacred place of worship. The government should respect religious sentiments instead of playing word games.
A
Arjun S.
Typical political drama before elections! BJP finds fault, TMC does damage control. Meanwhile, common people just want to visit the temple peacefully. When will our leaders stop using religion as a tool?
S
Sneha R.
The government should be more sensitive about religious matters. Calling it a 'cultural center' does seem like an attempt to secularize something sacred. At least maintain the original name in official records!
V
Vikram J.
While I agree the name should reflect its religious significance, Amit Malviya's outrage seems selective. BJP leaders remain silent when similar things happen in BJP-ruled states. This hypocrisy is what bothers me more.
N
Neha P.
The temple looks beautiful in pictures! Instead of fighting over names, politicians should focus on maintaining such places properly. Many ancient temples in Bengal need restoration - that's the real issue.

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