Sun May 18 16:50:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

In late April 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, a replica of the famous Puri temple in Odisha. The event was a grand affair, funded with taxpayer money and heavily promoted, seen by some as a political move to counter the BJP’s Hindutva agenda and consolidate Hindu votes ahead of the 2026 Assembly poll. The inauguration was met with controversy, including objections from the Odisha government regarding the use of “Jagannath Dham” and accusations from the BJP that the structure is merely a cultural center. Despite the controversy, the temple has attracted large crowds and has inspired similar projects in Kolkata and elsewhere in West Bengal, signaling a potential shift in the state’s cultural and political landscape.

**News Article:**

**West Bengal CM Inaugurates Digha Jagannath Temple, Sparks Political and Cultural Debate**

*Digha, West Bengal – May 18, 2025* – A newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, inaugurated on April 30 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has ignited a flurry of political and cultural debate. The ₹250 crore project, a replica of the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, has been hailed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a boon for local tourism and a symbol of devotion within the state.

The grand inauguration, complete with elaborate light installations, cultural performances, and widespread media coverage, was attended by prominent figures, including BJP leader Dilip Ghosh, in what some observers viewed as a carefully orchestrated attempt to project an inclusive image.

However, the temple’s construction and promotion have drawn criticism from multiple fronts. The BJP has dismissed the structure as a mere “cultural center,” citing tender documents. The Odisha government has formally requested that West Bengal refrain from using the term “Jagannath Dham” for the Digha temple, arguing it dilutes the unique cultural heritage associated with Puri.

Political analysts suggest the temple inauguration is a strategic move by Banerjee and the TMC to counter the BJP’s growing influence among Hindu voters in West Bengal, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 Assembly poll. Biswanath Chakraborty, professor of Political Science at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, says “The Muslim population is fully in support of Mamata Banerjee. She wants no polarisation of Hindu votes during the 2026 Assembly poll.” He suggests the construction of the temple aims to address discontent among some Hindus within the TMC following recent communal incidents.

Kunal Chattopadhyay, retired professor of History at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, says “This is what the Jagannath temple is all about. She is trying to highlight that Bengal will have its own Jagannath temple. We are more Hindu than you”

Legal experts also weighed in on the debate. Pinaki Ghosh, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, IPR Chair Professor, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata says, “This dispute is less about pure IPR and more about cultural and regional identity politics”

Despite the controversies, the temple has become a major attraction, drawing an estimated 2 million visitors since its opening. Its success has also inspired the construction of similar temples in Kolkata and elsewhere in West Bengal, signaling a potential shift in the state’s religious and political landscape. This shows how the Hindu majority state could be the focus of national political campaigns.

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