West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has ventured into uncharted territory. With the Digha Jagannath Temple project taking center stage, TMC appears to have embraced temple politics. The move, however, has raised eyebrows and sparked intense debate. Is this newfound piety a genuine act of devotion by the TMC Supremo? Or is it a calculated strategy to counter the BJP’s stronghold over Hindu voters?
Mamata Banerjee turns Digha Temple Into a Political Arena
Construction of Digha Jagannath Temple by WB Govt is going on in full swing! pic.twitter.com/eJHtdDXva0
— Nabarun Bhattacharya (@Nabarun204) January 6, 2024
The proposed Jagannath Temple in Digha is modeled after the iconic Puri temple in Odisha. The project was initiated in 2019 before CoVud shook the world. The project was left incomplete and out of media to date. However, it is fast becoming a political battleground. Mamata Banerjee has allocated over ₹250 crore of state funds to the project, branding it a cultural center.
West Bengal government has sanctioned ₹128 crore to develop a temple complex at Digha dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
PC: WBHIDCO / Salient Design Studio pic.twitter.com/L0WVon868F
— Kolkata Development Index (@KolkataIndex) December 24, 2021
She recently appointed ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharamn Das to the temple’s trustee board, signaling that this move goes beyond cultural preservation.
Yesterday, I was asked about the "Jagannath Temple" which is being constructed at Digha by the WB Govt.
I replied that the WB Govt isn't constructing a Temple, rather a "Cultural Centre" as because the Constitution of India bars the Governments; be it Central or State or its… pic.twitter.com/gQKjNGfqQx
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 19, 2023
The BJP, known for its grassroots-driven approach to temple restoration, has fiercely criticized this initiative. BJP West Bengal’s leader Suvendu Adhikari accused Banerjee of misusing state funds. Moreover, he calls the diversion of public funds to erect temples in the name of Cultural Centers as unconstitutional. He contrasted this with the BJP’s Ram Mandir project in Ayodhya, which was a transparent construction. Moreover, it was funded entirely through public donations. The state-funded Digha temple, he said, reeks of Hindu appeasement and power play.
#WestBengal CM #MamataBanerjee names #ISKCON priest as trustee board member of Digha Jagannath temple @MShreya1999 shares more info on this | @NivedhanaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/DpJ0jJdcI5
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) December 12, 2024
Analysts suggest the Digha Temple is not about faith for Banerjee. It’s about rebranding her image.
The BJP has announced plans for a Ram Temple in West Bengal, coinciding with the Ayodhya temple anniversary. Amidst TMC MLA’s Babri Masjid remarks, BJP accuses Mamata Banerjee of fueling communal tensions.#RamTemple #BabriMasjid #BJP #TMC #WestBengal #MamataBanerjee #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/S5xicsVzoF
— Fatafat News (@FatafatNews2020) December 14, 2024
Mamata Banerjee has long been perceived as a pro-Muslim leader. Her policies on Muslim reservations, pro-Rohingya stances, and anti-Ram Mandir rhetoric have alienated many Hindus. Hence, the temple project seems like an effort to dilute this image and position herself as a temple-friendly leader. It’s a calculated bid to challenge BJP’s dominance among Hindu voters. Some analysts even suggest this is Banerjee’s attempt to transform from an “anti-Hindu” figure to an “ati-Hindu” politician.
BJP’s Stand on Digha Temple: Faith, Not Politics
How the Ram Mandir Project used Fintech to collect Rs 3,200 crore in 45 days. 3.5 million volunteers took part in this project. Once it opens in January 2022, the temple will give a massive boost to spiritual tourism. The Vatican gets $120 million in ticket sales, not counting… pic.twitter.com/xqqfx5Lldt
— Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) November 5, 2023
Unlike TMC’s sudden shift to temple politics, BJP’s connection to temples has always been rooted in faith. The Ram Mandir movement was never about electoral gains. It symbolized the sentiment and devotion of millions of Sanatanis. BJP leaders have consistently stated that their commitment to temple restoration transcends politics.
Whether in power or opposition, the BJP has upheld the sanctity of temples as sacred spaces that reflect the will of the devotees.
In contrast, Mamata Banerjee’s temple project reeks of opportunism. She calls it Cultural Center to bypass the constitution. She uses HIDCO funds to chain in HRCE replica of temple management. The money for housing and development for the people is siphoned off for political games. Thus, her decision to fast-track and fund the Digha temple ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections raises critical questions. If temples are sacred, should they be wielded as tools for electoral gains?
Digha Temple Board – An Assault on ‘Free The Temple’ Movement
Mamata Banerjee’s sudden embrace of temple construction reveals glaring contradictions in her strategy. Her track record of anti-Hindu policies contrasts sharply with her ambition to replicate Odisha’s Jagannath Temple in Bengal. Moreover, the administrative structure of the Digha Temple stands against the principles of the “Free the Temple” movement.
Hindus want temples to be managed by devotees rather than bureaucrats. However, Mamata Banerjee’s plan places government officials like the Chief Secretary, Police SP, and District Magistrate on the temple board. TMC Supremo states that there shall be 5 ISKCON monks, Sanatana Temple Board members, and local priests on the temple board. Workers shall also be part of the board. However, who will be these “workers” that will assist the CS, DM, and SP in many regions of decision-making? It seems that many workign parts of the board shall be indirectly held by the West Bengal state administration.
Sacred traditions such as Rath Yatras, intricate rituals, and even the ceremonial golden broom will now be dictated by this state-controlled board.
Thus, critics argue that this approach turns a spiritual sanctuary into another government-regulated institution, much like the HRCE boards in southern states. Consequently, the Digha Temple risks becoming a cash cow for TMC rather than a place of devotion. Hence, by binding temples to state machinery, Mamata Banerjee undermines the very ethos of Hindu temples.
Far from being an act of religious sincerity, TMC’s temple politics seem to be a calculated attempt to reverse the damage of years of appeasement politics.
Her silence on atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and her absence from Ram Mandir celebrations alienated many Hindu voters. The Digha Temple is her attempt to rebrand herself. But will a government-controlled temple resonate with a Hindu electorate increasingly demanding autonomy over temples?
TMC’s Temple Politics vs BJP’s Dharmayudh
For the BJP, temples are sacred institutions embodying centuries of resilience and faith. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and Harihar Mandir in Sambhal are shining examples of this commitment.
The BJP firmly believes temples must be built by the people, for the people, and of the people – a true reflection of Dharma.
After the Jagannath Temple at Digha TMC will build a Babri Masjid-like mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad to win over the 'milch cows' (the Muslims)
Elections are approaching fast in West Bengal #Secularism #Secular#BabriMasjid pic.twitter.com/6tXRCfUagW
— Sanjukta Choudhury (@SanjuktaChoudh5) December 12, 2024
In contrast, Mamata Banerjee’s Digha Temple project appears to be a superficial attempt to replicate BJP’s connection with the Hindu community. Suvendu Adhikari has criticized the use of state funds for religious purposes, questioning Banerjee’s motives. Calling her a “false Hindu,” he sees this as a desperate ploy to regain trust among Hindu voters.
Can Banerjee’s temple project withstand the scrutiny of an awakened Hindu electorate? Or will her attempt to bind faith to bureaucracy backfire, strengthening calls for a Dharmayudh to free temples from state control?
The Larger Picture: A National Gambit
Mamata Banerjee’s temple push isn’t limited to West Bengal. It’s a strategic move to position herself on the national stage. However, her history of minority appeasement and anti-Hindu policies undermines her credibility. Her claim that “kings built temples for Hindus” subtly portrays her as a provider rather than a servant of the people.
Critics argue that the Digha Temple reveals her larger ambition to leverage temple politics to boost her national profile.
Ultimately, Mamata Banerjee’s temple politics is a high-stakes gamble. Mamata Banerjee and TMC hope to counter BJP’s stronghold on Hindu votes using Digha Temple. Moreover, they plan to take alarge bite out of the Temple Ecosystem wealth using Digha Temple. However, her opportunistic approach risks alienating the very electorate she seeks to win over.
For the BJP, this is more than an electoral battle – it’s a Dharmayudh. For Hindus, it’s a reminder that temples belong to the devotees, not politicians. Faith cannot be staged, and Dharma cannot be politicized. Temples like the Ram Mandir stand as symbols of community-driven initiatives that unite people beyond political lines.
Mamata Banerjee’s attempt to politicize Digha temple construction threatens the ethos of Sanatana Dharma, turning sacred temples into tools of political expediency and wealth generation.