Triguna to Tussle: Why Jagannath ‘Prasad’ Is at the Heart of Trinamool–BJP Clash

In the dynamic and often emotionally charged political landscape of West Bengal, symbols—be they linguistic, cultural, or religious—play a major role in shaping public perception and voter allegiance. The latest entrant in the symbolic battleground is something sacred and seemingly apolitical: Jagannath's prasad, or mahaprasad, the holy offering associated with Lord Jagannath of Puri.

In recent weeks, what began as a cultural-religious celebration has turned into a flashpoint between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With both parties eyeing the upcoming local elections and the 2026 assembly polls, the ‘prasad’ has moved from temple rituals to political rallies, fueling controversy, mobilizing sentiments, and sparking allegations of appropriation and disrespect.

Here’s an in-depth look into how a sacred offering turned into a political lightning rod.

1. The Cultural and Religious Context of Jagannath ‘Prasad’

Lord Jagannath is not just a revered deity in Odisha; his influence reaches deep into West Bengal, particularly in the districts bordering Odisha such as Purulia, Jhargram, and Bankura. The annual Rath Yatra and the distribution of mahaprasad—a sacred food offering made from rice, dal, vegetables, and sweets—hold immense religious significance for devotees.

The prasad is considered not only spiritually potent but a cultural connector, binding communities across the region with rituals of devotion and shared meals. In Bengal, small-scale Jagannath celebrations have long coexisted with local deities and festivals like Durga Puja, often bringing together people beyond political affiliations.

So, when this sacred tradition began being deployed in political narratives, it sparked unease and, eventually, open conflict.

2. The Trigger: Political Rallies Serving ‘Prasad’

The immediate controversy arose when BJP leaders in West Bengal organized public Rath Yatra-style rallies, complete with processions and distribution of Jagannath prasad. These events, promoted as cultural celebrations, often featured speeches attacking the Trinamool government and projecting the BJP as the protector of Hindu traditions.

The TMC viewed this as a political appropriation of religious symbols. Their leaders accused the BJP of using religious festivals as a cover to stir communal sentiments and galvanize support, especially in tribal and rural areas where Jagannath worship is prominent.

The flashpoint intensified when a Trinamool leader reportedly questioned the sanctity of distributing ‘prasad’ for political gains, calling it a dilution of religious sentiment. BJP leaders responded by accusing TMC of hurting religious sentiments and insulting Hindu culture, escalating the controversy into a full-fledged war of words.

3. Why ‘Prasad’ Matters in the Bengal Political Theatre

In West Bengal, cultural identity is closely tied to political allegiance. TMC has long projected itself as the guardian of Bengali identity, celebrating regional pride, language, and syncretic traditions. BJP, on the other hand, has tried to carve a space by appealing to pan-Hindu identity, introducing cultural and religious narratives from North and Central India into Bengal's political discourse.

Jagannath’s prasad—a symbol rooted in eastern Indian Hindu tradition—presents an opportunity for the BJP to align itself with regional religious sentiments while still advancing a broader nationalist narrative. For TMC, it represents a threat to Bengal’s pluralistic and localized religious traditions, many of which are distinct from the uniform Hindutva model promoted by the BJP.

Thus, the battle over prasad is not just about faith—it is about who gets to define Bengal’s cultural soul.

4. Tactics and Counter-Tactics

In response to BJP’s Jagannath-themed rallies, Trinamool supporters began organizing parallel cultural events, invoking local deities and celebrating regional traditions like Manasa Puja, Dharmathakur worship, and Baul music. These were framed as celebrations of Bengali ethos untouched by "outsider" influence.

In some instances, TMC leaders also began distributing prasad in their own events, to counter BJP's narrative and claim moral parity. However, this has further blurred the lines between faith and politics, leading to confusion among voters and criticism from religious groups who prefer to keep politics out of spiritual practices.

Social media, as always, added fuel to the fire. Videos of leaders handing out prasad, controversial remarks taken out of context, and memes mocking both parties’ attempts to hijack religion have flooded timelines, intensifying polarization.

5. The Battle for Tribal and Rural Votes

At the heart of this controversy lies a fierce contest for tribal and rural voters. Areas like Purulia, Jhargram, and Bankura, which were once Left strongholds, have become battlegrounds between TMC and BJP. Here, Jagannath is not a distant deity, but a central figure of local spirituality and tradition.

By invoking Jagannath and distributing prasad, the BJP aims to build a deeper emotional connection with tribal voters, positioning itself as the party that respects and promotes their faith. Trinamool, sensing this shift, is attempting to defend its ground by reasserting its commitment to local cultures and economic development, while warning against religious politicization.

This struggle reflects a broader trend across India—where religious rituals are increasingly embedded into political strategy, blurring lines between worship and vote bank mobilization.

6. Religious Leaders Speak Out

Several religious leaders and temple administrators have expressed discomfort with the politicization of Jagannath prasad, urging parties to respect the sanctity of the offering. They argue that prasad should remain a non-partisan symbol of faith, distributed within the temple context, not used to score political points or incite communal rhetoric.

Some have gone further, calling for ethical guidelines around the use of religious symbols in political campaigns. These appeals, however, have largely been ignored as political intensity rises ahead of the elections.

7. What This Means for Bengal Politics

The Jagannath prasad controversy is not an isolated episode—it is part of a larger battle over cultural dominance, religious symbolism, and political legitimacy. As both parties dig deeper into emotional and symbolic appeals, the risk of eroding Bengal’s traditionally inclusive religious culture grows.

It also shows how elections are no longer fought solely on development or governance issues. In many areas, symbolic gestures—like distributing prasad—can have as much impact as policy announcements.

The winner in this cultural war will likely be the party that best balances faith-based outreach with respect for tradition, without alienating moderate and secular voters.

8.  Between Sacred and Strategic

What makes the Jagannath prasad row so significant is its symbolism—it shows how deeply religious sentiments are now woven into electoral strategy. For many, prasad is divine; for political parties, it has become a tool of influence, a cultural token that can sway hearts, and potentially, votes.

As the battle between TMC and BJP continues to intensify, more such cultural flashpoints are likely to emerge. Whether it's a deity, a dance form, or a dialect, nothing is off-limits in the fight for voter loyalty. The challenge, however, is ensuring that in the process of politicizing symbols, their original sanctity and purpose aren’t lost.