Bhubaneswar: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday announced that the state government will write to the West Bengal government over the naming of the Jagannath temple in Digha as ‘Jagannath Dham’.
Addressing the media, Harichandan said he would apprise Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the issue upon his return to Odisha, following which a letter will be sent to the West Bengal government.
“There is no justification or reason to name the Jagannath temple in Digha as ‘Jagannath Dham’. The sanctity and identity of the Puri Jagannath Temple, along with its unique culture and traditions, must remain undisturbed,” the minister said.
He further stated that the state government is committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard the sanctity of the Puri temple.
According to Harichandan, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, has already held discussions with representatives of the Chhatisha Nijoga (the council of the 36 traditional categories of servitors (Sevayats)) and other stakeholders involved in the temple’s rituals.
The SJTA convened a meeting on Saturday night and made key decisions pertaining to the issue. The Law Minister said the government is taking a firm stance to prevent any recurrence of indiscipline related to servitors, temple rituals, and cultural practices. The temple administration, he added, has been granted authority to take appropriate action where necessary.
Targeting the opposition, Harichandan criticized the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), alleging widespread “mismanagement” during its 24-year rule. He claimed that acts of indiscipline and neglect in temple affairs increased under the Naveen Patnaik-led administration.
Meanwhile, the BJD has also spoken out on the issue, criticizing the West Bengal government for naming the Digha temple as ‘Jagannath Dham’. The party demanded clarity from the Odisha government and the temple administration regarding claims made by a senior Daitapati servitor.
The servitor had alleged that the idols in the Digha temple were crafted using remnants of sacred Neem trees (Daaru) from the 2015 Nabakalebara ritual held at the Puri temple.
In response to the controversy, Minister Harichandan confirmed that an official investigation has already been ordered into the matter.
