By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Jagannath Dham literally means the “Abode of the Lord of the World”. Sri Jagannatha Temple at Puri is called Jagannath Dham, since it is abode of Jagannath, Krishna, who was one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu in Hindu mythology.BJP led government of Odisha has expressed its intention on Sunday, May 4 to send a letter to Bengal government led by another political party TMC requesting her to stop referring the Jagannath Temple at Digha as Jagannath Dham. It has given a new twist to Jagannath Dham controversy. Do Lord Jagannath devotees among non-BJP Hindus need special permission from BJP or their governments permission to build an abode (dham) for Jagannath anywhere else than BJP’s bigotry permits?
In Hindu mythology, Vishnu perhaps asked in his only one incarnation as Ram where should he take his abode? The episode is lovely. Ram, Lakshman and Sita in the way to their exile in the forest reached the hermitage of sage Valmiki, and after being welcomed, Ram asked him where should he take his abode? The reply is the essence of Hinduism which all Hindus must know, so that they could compare it with BJP’s bigotry, and their Hindutva in which non-BJP Hindu political party and individuals are being asked not to use even the word ‘dham’ for the abode or temple of the god.
“You ask me when should you take your abode? However, I ask you with diffidence, tell me first the place where you are not, then alone I can show you a suitable place,” said Valmiki. On hearing sages word Ram smiled and Valmiki too.
Thereafter, Valmiki proceeds to enumerate what are the god’s appropriate abodes, on which Ram agreed. They are the hearts that are primarily interested in you without being deceitful; have full or your virtues; cherish you and none else; …have no lust, anger, arrogance, pride; are without greed excitement, attraction or aversion; are free from fraud, hypocrisy, and deceit; … who are beloved to all and friendly to all; to whom joy and sorrow, applause and abuse are alike; who scrupulously utter truthful and polite words; O Ram, you should reside in such hearts. … Who rejoice to see others prosperity and grieved to see another’s distress, you bless their hearts as your adobe. … Valmiki showed Ram many such places as his abode, which gladdened Ram.
So, the controversy created by the BJP led Hindutva forces on Lord Jagannath’s abode is clearly the result of Hindutva bigotry of RSS clan which they have been intensifying. TMC’s Mamata Banerjee has every right to use the word “Dham” for “abode” of Jagannath, and no one needs any permission to build a temple, or to apply to BJP-RSS clan of their governments for approval of names or words to be used.
BJP led Odisha government’s intention has come after the claims by a senior servitor of Puri Jagannath Temple, Ramkrushna Dasmohapatra, that he had helped make the idols for the Digha temple using leftover wood from the Puri temple. Later he had contradicted his claim and denied that the woods from Puri temple were used for making idols. Puri temple authorities have issued him show cause notice on May 4, to be answered within seven days.
Law Minister of Odisha Prithviraj Harichandan has said, “Action will be taken against those responsible if found guilty of illegally using Jagannath temple’s sacred timber to build the idols of Digha Jagannath temple. Our CM (Mohan Majhi) will write to the Bengal government to stop branding Digha Jagannath temple as Jagannath Dham. This title is reserved for Puri, which is home to the main Jagannath temple.”
TMC spokes person Jay Prakash Majumdar has repudiated the objection and said, “If they (BJP) question the establishment of a Hindu temple, this shows their desperation. On one hand, BJP claims to be a ‘Hinduwadi’ party, on the other, they are raising questions on the pratishtha (sanctity) of the (Digha) temple. If there is any question on the establishment, it should be asked by the four Shankaracharyas.”
In Odisha, opposition BJD and Congress have criticised the BJP for mishandling the situation. They have alleged that Odisha government has failed in protecting the Jagannath culture of Odisha. It is again the effect of the bigotry led Hindutva politics. Odishi culture is good, the Lord Krishna is worshipped everywhere in the country in which they should feel pride. They should allow as many abode as possible of Lord Krishna or Jagannath.
However, they BJD and Congress are also doing politics in the state and criticising TMC and Bengal. “Despite four days having passed since the Digha temple’s inauguration on April 30, the state government has not officially raised the matter with West Bengal,” senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said. BJP hit back, saying the state government has promptly intervened to address the issue. “The opposition should refrain from politicising the Jagannath culture,” law minister Harichandan said.
In West Bengal, by inaugurating the temple, CM Mamata Banerjee has divided the BJP. Suvendu Adhikari has welcomed the probe launched in Odisha, while several other BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh and Khagen Murmu have lauded the construction and inauguration of the Jagannath Temple at Digha.
Non-BJP Hindus must be aware from the risks of intensifying BJP’s Hindutva bigotry, that is trying to hijack even the right to construct a Hindu temple or name it. Jagannath Dham controversy should be an eye opener. (IPA Service)
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