In a move blending personal devotion with political symbolism, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to donate a golden broom to the upcoming Jagannath temple in Digha, along with a contribution of ₹5,01,000 from her personal fund.
The announcement comes just weeks before the grand inauguration of the temple, scheduled for April 30, and is being seen as both a cultural gesture and a strategic political move ahead of the next year’s Assembly elections.
The CM made the declaration during an administrative meeting at Nabanna, where she reviewed the final preparations for the temple’s inauguration. “As soon as the process of donation and meditation begins at the Digha Jagannath temple, let me know,” she said, adding, “I will be the first to offer my donation—a golden broom. A cheque of Rs 5,00,001 is already ready for this.”
Her statement holds deep symbolic significance. In the traditional Rath Yatra of Puri, the Gajapati king sweeps the path of Lord Jagannath’s chariot with a golden broom—an act of humility and servitude before divinity. By offering a similar golden broom to the new temple in Digha, Mamata not only aligns herself with long-standing religious traditions but also reinforces her image as a leader who respects and upholds cultural values—particularly those tied to Hindu rituals and heritage.
Sources within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) suggest that the temple's inauguration and the CM’s offering may be part of a broader outreach to Hindu voters, particularly in coastal and temple-centric areas like East Midnapore, where the BJP has tried to consolidate support in recent elections.
Political observers also note that invoking Jagannath—considered a unifying deity across caste and regional lines—helps Mamata subtly counter opposition narratives accusing the TMC of minority appeasement.
Mamata’s personal donation also sets the tone for the temple’s future religious engagements. She stated that a golden broom, like the one kept at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, will now have a permanent place in the Digha temple as well. The gift, though religious, carries political weight—it signals that cultural nationalism need not be monopolised by one party alone, said a TMC functionary in Kolkata.
The CM also addressed concerns about crowd management and public safety, noting the enthusiasm among devotees and the possibility of large gatherings. “There’s already a great deal of excitement among the devotees,” she said. “We must take proper administrative measures now to avoid any untoward incident during the yajna and the inauguration.”
Representatives from ISKCON, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, and key administrative departments were present at the high-level meeting. Responsibilities for security, traffic control, health services and emergency response were delegated in advance, indicating the government’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and well-organised event.
While religious leaders praised Mamata’s gesture, critics argue that the timing of the announcement—just before elections—raises questions about the political messaging behind it. However, her supporters maintain that the CM has always engaged with Bengal’s rich tapestry of religious traditions, from attending Durga Pujas to walking in Muharram processions, and that the donation is in keeping with her inclusive political philosophy.
The Digha Jagannath temple project, which has been in the works for years, is expected to become a major religious and tourism landmark. With the golden broom donation, Mamata has ensured that her name will be permanently etched into the narrative of the temple's legacy—both as a devotee and as a political leader attuned to the cultural pulse of her state.
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