Chariot Warfare: Forward Of 2026 Meeting Polls, Ratha Yatra Politics Gathers Tempo In Bengal
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The BJP claims that the development of the Digha temple and scale of the Ratha Yatra are politically motivated to counter the notion that the TMC caters primarily to Muslims
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has travelled to Digha to inaugurate the Ratha Yatra festivities—the primary time the coastal city is internet hosting the grand occasion. The CM has additionally made preparations to ship ‘prasad’ to all individuals of Bengal. (File pic: X/@MamataOfficial)
As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 meeting elections, the annual Ratha Yatra celebrations have taken on a distinctly political tone. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has travelled to Digha to inaugurate the Ratha Yatra festivities—the primary time the coastal city is internet hosting the grand occasion. The CM has additionally made preparations to ship “prasad” to all individuals of Bengal. This transfer has sparked political controversy, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Get together accusing her of utilizing the pageant to woo Hindu voters.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Mamata Banerjee is making an attempt to compete with the enduring Puri Ratha Yatra. “Hindus in Bengal won’t be considering halal prasad,” he stated. Chief of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari has introduced a separate Ratha Yatra occasion, the place he plans to distribute prasad sourced immediately from Puri, underscoring what he calls the “authenticity” of the pageant.
With elections approaching subsequent yr, the BJP claims that the development of the temple in Digha and the size of the Ratha Yatra are politically motivated, aimed toward countering the notion that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) caters primarily to the Muslim group. BJP leaders have additionally criticised the TMC authorities’s determination to distribute prasad to each family in Bengal, calling it a “pretend promise”. They additional allege that the sweets being distributed are halal-certified and that the funding for the initiative is being inappropriately sourced from HIDCO, an company meant for infrastructure and concrete growth.
The TMC, nonetheless, has dismissed the allegations. “I wish to thank Smt Mamata Banerjee for the Jagannath Mandir,” stated celebration nationwide common secretary Abhishek Banerjee. “The BJP claims to be the custodian of Hindus, however Sukanta and Suvendu are ridiculing Jagannath Prabhu.”
Mamata Banerjee herself has launched a marketing campaign to advertise the Ratha Yatra in Digha, signalling her intent to rework it into a serious annual occasion.
In response to Radharaman Das, vice chairman of ISKCON Bengal, the Digha Ratha Yatra options three principal chariots, every with its personal significance:
- Nandighosha (Chariot of Lord Jagannath): 16 wheels, embellished in pink and yellow.
- Taladhwaja (Chariot of Balaram): 14 wheels, adorned in pink and blue.
- Darpadalana (Chariot of Subhadra): 12 wheels, draped in pink and black.
The charioteer of Lord Jagannath’s rath is Daruka, and the pulling rope is named Shankhachuda.
A number of key ministers, dignitaries, and celebrities are anticipated to be current on the Digha Ratha Yatra, highlighting the occasion’s rising prominence. What was as soon as a religious and cultural celebration is now rising as a brand new battleground in Bengal’s charged political panorama.
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of expertise in protecting the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has received UNICEF Laadli Awar…Learn Extra
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of expertise in protecting the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has received UNICEF Laadli Awar… Learn Extra
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