Controversy Erupts as Muslim Sweet Shops Chosen to Prepare Prasad for Digha Jagannath Dham

The assignment of Muslim sweet shops to prepare sacred Prasad for Digha Jagannath Dham in West Bengal sparks outrage and raises questions over religious protocol and administrative intent.

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Hindu Sentiments Hurt as Muslim Sweet Shops Assigned Prasad Preparation

A fresh controversy has surfaced in West Bengal’s Raninagar-I Development Block after local authorities officially listed four Muslim sweet shops to prepare Prasad—a sacred offering—for the revered Digha Jagannath Dham. What was intended as a routine administrative move has now triggered widespread backlash, especially among sections of the Hindu community who view the decision as insensitive and potentially disrespectful to religious sentiments.

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Details of the Official Sweet Shop List Stir Public Anger

The list, which has gone viral on social media, includes the following four shops:

1. Tiptop Mistanno Bhandar, Islampur GP – Contact: Raju Sekh
2. Bhai-Bhai Mistanna Bhandar, Islampur GP – Contact: Sabirulla Islam
3. Sonali Mistanna Bhandar, Paharpur GP – Contact: Rajab Ali
4. Mistimukh Mistanna Bhandar, Islampur GP – Contact: Ramprasad

The common concern raised by critics is the clear identification of Muslim sweet shops being entrusted with the preparation of offerings that are consumed by Hindu devotees as a sacred ritual.

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Religious Discontent and Questions Over the Move

Hindu religious leaders and several local temple priests have publicly questioned the rationale behind this decision. They argue that Prasad preparation, being a sacred act deeply rooted in faith, should adhere strictly to traditional practices. The appointment of Muslim sweet shops, they say, may violate religious sanctity and hurt the spiritual beliefs of thousands of devotees.

One local priest stated, “Faith is not about food alone. It’s about who prepares it and with what devotion. Assigning Prasad-making to those outside the faith dilutes our traditions.”

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Political Reactions: More Division Than Dialogue

The political fallout was immediate. Opposition parties in the state accused the ruling administration of “minority appeasement” and “religious insensitivity.” They claim that such decisions, made without consulting religious bodies or local Hindu communities, risk deepening mistrust and communal discomfort.

Social media platforms have seen a flood of reactions—many expressing concern, anger, and even calls for boycotting the temple Prasad if this decision is not reconsidered.

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Muslim Sweet Shops at the Center of a Faith Storm

While the shop owners themselves have refrained from making any political statements, some have quietly expressed confusion and discomfort over the backlash. “We’ve been running our shops for decades and serve everyone,” one of them said anonymously. “But we didn’t expect this kind of trouble.”

The situation places these businesses—Muslim sweet shops—in an unwanted spotlight, risking both communal friction and business impact.

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Ignoring Tradition: Is This Administrative Oversight?

Critics argue that this decision reflects a larger trend of neglecting religious nuances in administrative planning. No clear consultation with temple boards, Hindu community elders, or Prasad-making specialists appears to have been conducted. The focus, some allege, was merely on logistics—ignoring deeply held beliefs of the temple’s devotees.

In a state like West Bengal, with its rich but sensitive cultural fabric, such oversights can escalate tensions rather than promote harmony.

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Is This Secularism or Forced Symbolism?

The choice of Muslim sweet shops for preparing offerings at a major Hindu shrine has led many to question the blurred lines between secular governance and symbolic tokenism. While secularism promotes inclusivity, forced gestures without community consent may do more harm than good.

Religious inclusivity cannot be mandated; it must come from dialogue, mutual respect, and sensitivity—not top-down assignments that ignore ground realities.

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Final Thoughts: A Recipe for Discontent, Not Harmony

While harmony and brotherhood remain noble goals, administrative decisions must tread carefully when it comes to matters of faith. The Prasad served at Digha Jagannath Dham is not just food—it carries spiritual meaning, ritual sanctity, and trust. The sudden assignment of its preparation to Muslim sweet shops without broader consensus may have been a misstep with serious emotional consequences.

As the controversy unfolds, the question remains—will the authorities listen to the voices of devotees, or continue with decisions that could divide rather than unite?