Kolkata, June 9 -- In a politically significant outreach that combined governance with symbolic course correction, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that the word "Dham" would be dropped from the name of Digha's Jagannath Temple while simultaneously assuring the implementation of the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan after discussions with Ghatal MP Dev.
The announcements came amid an administrative review meeting in Kolaghat involving East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts, where the Chief Minister sought to project a model of governance that transcends party lines and encourages cooperation among elected representatives across the political spectrum.
Adhikari said the Digha shrine would henceforth be known as the 'Digha Jagannath Cultural Centre', in keeping with the original resolution of the erstwhile Trinamool Congress government. He maintained that the addition of the word "Dham" by the previous administration was inconsistent with Sanatan Dharma traditions and would now be withdrawn through a cabinet decision.
"The premises will now be called 'Sri Sri Jagannath Cultural Centre' and the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, at the temple within the premises, will be worshipped in accordance with prescribed norms and rituals," Adhikari said.
The move followed a meeting between Adhikari and Puri MP Sambit Patra, who handed over a letter from Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging the Bengal government to preserve the sanctity of Puri Jagannath Dham by removing the word "Dham" from the Digha temple's name.
"In keeping with tradition and sentiment, the word will be removed immediately. I have already informed Sambit Patra about the decision," Adhikari said.
In his letter, Majhi stated that the naming of the shrine as "Digha Jagannath Dham" had generated concern among devotees, religious scholars and socio-cultural organisations in Odisha and elsewhere.
Patra, speaking in the presence of the Chief Minister at Nabanna, said the term "Jagannath Dham" is intrinsically associated with the abode of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath at Puri, one of the four sacred Char Dhams of India, and carries immense spiritual, historical and cultural significance.
Radharamn Das, Trustee and Chief Priest of the Digha Jagannath temple, welcomed the decision. "We wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari Ji. The Hon'ble Chief Minister personally spoke with me regarding this matter, and we are very happy that the temple will now be known as Digha Jagannath Mandir," he said.
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to reiterate his government's commitment to providing a permanent solution to recurrent flooding in Ghatal and adjoining areas through the implementation of the Ghatal Master Plan.
Adhikari said the state administration had already initiated steps to carry forward the long-pending project and revealed that he had held detailed discussions with Ghatal MP Dev on the issue.
Welcoming the assurance, Dev said: "I have always believed in the politics of courtesy. Political differences may exist, but insulting anyone personally has never been my nature. The Chief Minister has personally assured me that the Ghatal Master Plan will be implemented."
Seeking to underline a new political and administrative culture, Adhikari said governance should not be held hostage to electoral rivalries.
"Politics will take place during elections, and it should end there. For the remaining days of the year, we must work for the people. We want to build that spirit of cooperation and bonding among public representatives. For us, an MLA is an MLA; party affiliation does not matter," he said.
The Kolaghat meeting brought ruling and Opposition representatives onto the same platform. According to the Chief Minister, all 35 legislators invited to the meeting attended the session, including two opposition MLAs, while all four Members of Parliament from the Medinipur region also took part.
Adhikari claimed the participatory format of the meeting had drawn appreciation from opposition representatives. According to him, one opposition MP remarked that they were "overwhelmed" by the freedom given to participants to openly express their views during the discussions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.