Kolkata: The newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha has sparked yet another political controversy as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) lashed out at Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar for his recent comments regarding the temple’s management under the West Bengal government.
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, TMC demanded a public apology from Majumdar, accusing him of insulting the religious sentiments of crores of devotees by referring to the temple’s ambiance as an “amusement park.”
“If you have even an ounce of shame left, you should apologise and retract your BLASPHEMOUS comments! Calling the sacred Jagannath Dham an ‘amusement park’ is not just an insult to Bengal, it’s an insult to every devotee, to our culture, and to the crores of people whose faith is rooted in Lord Jagannath,” the party stated.
TMC further questioned Majumdar’s motives, implying that the temple’s symbol of unity and cultural pride threatened BJP’s “divisive politics.”
The controversy stems from a video shared by TMC, in which Majumdar can be heard criticizing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming she created a “park-like atmosphere” at the temple rather than maintaining its sacred essence.
“The temple looks more like an amusement park than a spiritual place,” Majumdar reportedly said in a phone interview.
This is not the first controversy surrounding the Digha temple. Earlier, leaders from BJP and BJD, as well as spiritual authorities from Odisha, objected to the temple being labeled as “Jagannath Dham,” traditionally a title associated with the 12th-century Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha.
The ₹250 crore temple spread over 20 acres was inaugurated by CM Mamata Banerjee on April 30, 2025, with architecture inspired by the Puri shrine and housing similar deities.
While political tensions rise, the state government maintains that the Digha Jagannath Temple is meant to boost tourism and religious heritage without compromising sanctity.