Archive · 25 Jun 2025
Ratha Yatra Celebrations Become Politicized in Bengal
The annual Ratha Yatra festival in Digha, West Bengal, is becoming a political event.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is involved, which the opposition BJP says is to get Hindu votes.
The BJP is also questioning the food being given out.
The ruling party says the BJP is just trying to criticize them.
The festival has different chariots, each representing a different god.
Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Ratha Yatra festivities in Digha, West Bengal.
The BJP alleges the event is politically motivated to attract Hindu voters.
BJP leaders criticize the TMC's distribution of prasad, claiming it is halal-certified.
TMC dismisses the allegations, with Abhishek Banerjee thanking Mamata for the Jagannath Mandir.
The Digha Ratha Yatra features three chariots: Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, BJP, TMC, and devotees.
- What
- Annual Ratha Yatra celebrations.
- When
- Ongoing as of June 25, 2025, with preparations for future events.
- Where
- Digha, West Bengal.
- Why
- Celebration of the Ratha Yatra, with political implications related to upcoming elections.
TMC
BJP
Motivation
TMC
Celebration of the festival, thanking Mamata Banerjee for the Jagannath Mandir.
BJP
Accuse the TMC of trying to get Hindu votes and question the food being given out.
Prasad Distribution
TMC
Dismisses the allegations made by the BJP.
BJP
Says that the prasad being distributed is inauthentic.
- Event
- Ratha Yatra
- Location
- Digha, West Bengal
- Inaugurator
- Mamata Banerjee
- Political Context
- Ahead of 2026 assembly elections
- Key Participants
- TMC, BJP
Sources
Art and spirituality: Kolkata gears up for ISKCON Rathayatra festivities from today
Preparations underway for ISKCON Siliguri’s Rath Yatra
Rigorous health monitoring in place for Rath Yatra
Puri Gears Up for Grand Rath Yatra
Mamata Banerjee likely to leave for Digha for Ratha Yatra on June 25 - Telegraph India
Puri Rath Yatra to be held under AI-enabled cameras, NSG snipers to watch from rooftops
Secunderabad Shree Jagannath Yatra To Be Conducted On June 27
