The newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, is now at the center of a fresh controversy—not for its structure or rituals, but for a blue signboard that read “Jagannath Dham” and has now mysteriously vanished. The signboard, placed beside the national highway next to the temple, attracted public attention during the inauguration ceremony. However, within days, it was removed—raising questions and igniting political debate.
🔍 Why Was the Structure Removed?
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari took to X (formerly Twitter) to question the removal of the aesthetically pleasing “Jagannath Dham” signboard. Posting a photo of it, he implied that the removal might be politically motivated due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of the word “Dham.”
But local administration sources claim otherwise. According to them, the structure was temporary and was meant only for the inauguration event. It was dismantled the day after the ceremony.
📚 The “Dham” Debate Explained
The root of the debate lies in the use of the word “Dham”, a term traditionally associated with holy pilgrimage sites. Critics argue that to be called a Dham, the site must be directly associated with the divine presence or deeds of a deity or a spiritual figure. For instance, Nabadwip, the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is known as a Dham.
By that logic, many say Digha does not qualify as a Dham. However, others argue that if a temple becomes a significant site of devotion and draws large numbers of pilgrims, the term “Dham” could still be justified.
🗣️ What the Authorities Are Saying
Akhil Giri, MLA of Ramnagar (under which Digha falls), clarified:
“The structure was built temporarily for the inauguration and was removed the very next day. There’s no other reason behind it. Once construction near Chaitanya Dwar is complete, a similar sign may be reinstalled.”
Radha Raman Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, also stated:
“It was placed on the footpath and removed immediately after the event. There’s no connection to any controversy.”
🧱 Will the ‘Jagannath Dham’ Sign Return?
According to officials, once the adjacent construction of Chaitanya Dwar is completed, a similar signage might be reintroduced. However, whether it will again use the term “Dham” remains uncertain, given the political and religious sensitivities surrounding the term.
✅ Conclusion
While the disappearance of the “Jagannath Dham” board might seem trivial, it reveals deeper cultural, religious, and political tensions in Bengal’s temple politics. As the debate over semantics continues, the temple itself has already become a spiritual and tourist landmark for thousands.
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