"Mocking the Constitution": CPI(M) leader slams CM Mamata over Jagannath prasad announcement

On the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that prasad and photographs of the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha would be delivered to every household across Bengal. While the announcement drew applause at the event, it has now sparked political controversy.

On Thursday, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty took a sharp dig at Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress. Referring to similar initiatives by the BJP, Chakraborty wrote on his X handle, “The BJP had announced to distribute pictures of the Ram temple and Akshaya rice. Following the same path, Mamata Banerjee has announced to distribute pictures and prasad of the Jagannath temple across the state.”

Chakraborty went further, alleging misuse of public funds. “Trinamool will again do all this by administratively spending government money. There will definitely be a picture of the honorable along with the prasad!! This is called mocking the Constitution,” he added, suggesting that the move blends religion and governance inappropriately.

The remarks come just a day after Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the temple built in Digha, Medinipur, in a grand ceremony. Thousands had gathered for the event, with Mamata thanking workers and engineers who completed the temple’s construction in three years. She declared that the Jagannath temple would remain a site of pilgrimage for the next thousand years.

The Chief Minister's announcement to distribute prasad and temple photos was made during the temple's opening ceremony, intended as a spiritual gesture on a holy day. However, opposition leaders see it as politicizing religion, especially with the Lok Sabha elections drawing closer.

This fresh round of political sparring has reignited the debate over the use of public funds for religious initiatives. While Mamata’s supporters view the move as a celebration of Bengal’s spiritual heritage, critics are raising constitutional and administrative concerns.