Legal Protection for Cultural Heritage: The Jagannath Temple Initiative

Why is the Jagannath Temple Committee applying for legal protection?

The committee aims to protect expressions like ‘Jagannath Dham’, ‘Srimandir’, ‘Mahaprasad’, and others traditionally linked to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. This initiative is intended to preserve their sanctity and prevent misuse in other contexts.

What kind of protection is being sought?

The committee is applying for trademark or patent protection rather than Geographical Indication (GI). These terms are regarded as cultural-religious identifiers instead of commercial products associated with a specific location.

What is the difference between GI and trademark in this case?

Geographical Indication (GI) pertains to goods associated with a specific place that possess unique qualities, such as Darjeeling Tea. Conversely, a trademark grants exclusive rights to use specific names, logos, or phrases. In this instance, the goal is to protect religious identity and prevent the dilution of Puri’s spiritual heritage.

Which terms are being protected?

Applications are being made for terms including ‘Srimandir’, ‘Jagannath Dham’, ‘Mahaprasad’, ‘Shreekshetra’, and ‘Purushottam Dham’, along with their corresponding logos and symbols.

What triggered this move?

The recent inauguration of a temple in Digha, a coastal town in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, which was named ‘Jagannath Dham’, has raised concerns in Odisha. These terms are viewed as sacred and historically linked to Puri.

Why is the use of the term ‘Dham’ controversial?

In Hindu tradition, ‘Dham’ signifies spiritually important pilgrimage sites such as Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. Critics argue that applying this term to other locations dilutes its significance and misleads devotees.

What are the objections to the Digha temple?

Concerns regarding the Digha temple include deviations from traditional rituals, the inclusion of non-Hindus, and potential misuse of sacred materials. Such practices are perceived as inconsistent with the customs upheld by the Puri temple.

How has the Odisha government responded?

The Chief Minister of Odisha has formally requested that West Bengal remove the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ from the name of the Digha temple.

Is ‘Mahaprasad’ also being considered for GI status?

Indeed, past discussions have considered ‘Mahaprasad of Puri’ for Geographical Indication status due to its unique preparation and association with the Jagannath Temple. However, the current legal efforts are focused on trademark-style protection.