West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reviews Digha's Jagannath Temple construction; ISKCON member in board

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state will become an international religious tourism destination after the inauguration of a new Jagannath Temple in East Midnapore's Digha on April 30.

In a political masterstroke, Banerjee has included Iskcon representatives in the trustee board of the new temple.

"ISKCON vice-president Radharaman Das, Jagannath Temple's one of the main priests and chief secretary will be board members. The board will be led by the chief secretary," she said in Digha.


Banerjee said the state government has spent nearly ₹250 crore for the project and additional funds will be made available, if needed.

Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said the government cannot use funds from the state exchequer for constructing any institution for a particular religion.

'Responsibility of majority to save minorities'

Separately, Banerjee said that minorities in Bangladesh must be saved and it is the responsibility of the majority in a country to save the minorities.

Demanding that the Centre must "act", she said: "The Centre must give protection to minorities in Bangladesh...and should bring back those willing to return," she said in Digha. "I have heard visas have been increased by India. We want our people, who want to come back, to return."