Bhubaneswar: Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tendered an half-hearted apology after being heavily trolled on X for equating centuries-old Rath Yatra at Jagannath Dham in Odisha’s Puri with the maiden celebration in Digha.
“Jagannath Yatra now has 2 addresses: original in Puri in Odisha, a new one in Digha in West Bengal,” he wrote on X along with a news report, calling it ‘competitive Rath Yatras with both attracting thousands of devotees’.
Jagannath Yatra now has 2 addresses: original in Puri in Odisha, a new one in Digha in West Bengal. https://t.co/5pXkoyWh1f
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 27, 2025
Netizens quickly fact-checked him, highlighting that Rath Yatra is celebrated across the country and also abroad. “Shree Jagannatha Ratha Yatra is being celebrated by devotees worldwide by being inspired by the original in Puri in Odisha. There is ONLY ONE original #JagannathDham #RathaYatra in the Universe & its original location was, is & will be- Puri forever,” wrote researcher Anita Sabat.
Another X user added that though celebrated worldwide, every devotee of Lord Jagannath from any corner of the world aspires to come to Jagannath Dham in Puri at least once in his or her life. “Because that’s the only address; the question of a ‘new one’ doesn’t even arise.”
“The original is always original. Digha is just one among thousands of places across the world where Ratha Jatra is celebrated. but Jagannath Dham, Puri is the one and only authentic abode of the divine Ratha Jatra festival,” wrote another user.
However, it did not end here. Actor Sabyasachi Mishra sought a public apology from Rajdeep for what he termed ‘an irresponsible statement’ and for hurting Odia sentiments. “This is not acceptable. I strongly condemn this paid propaganda….Ratha Jatra a global event conducted at thousands of destinations with pride… but no one ever dared to propagate it in this way,” the actor wrote on X.
Replying to Sabyasachi, the journalist posted a long message which started with an apology for ‘mentioning Digha’s rath yatra in the same breath as Jagannath Dham in Puri’ but then veered into justifying his earlier tweet and calling out the mismanagement during the Puri Rath Yatra on June 27. “There is only one ORIGINAL Yatra in Puri and the rest are only taking a cue . But if you are a true devotee of Lord Jagannath and as am sure you are, you should be happy that the Lord Jagannath devotion is spreading far and wide, with Digha being the newest addition (which is why it makes news as a new ‘address’) . And while I apologise for hurting your sentiments (although personally I believe faith in the Lord doesn’t belong to any group or state or individual) , maybe you will also spare a thought for all the devotees who were injured during the rath yatra in Puri yday (more than 500). True religious and Odia pride should ensure far better crowd management next time! Sincere Apologies again for hurting your sentiments and that of other devotees. Puri will always be the ORIGINAL and MOST SACRED and IMPORTANT temple for devotees : Jai Jagannath!”
Many netizens noted that it was a half-hearted apology. “Will you go on to call every mosque in every part of the world as Madinah, Rajdeep? Please don’t make such controversial statements knowing you can get away with them and play with Hindu sentiments. Lord Jagannath’s temple and origin is only and only Puri in Odisha!” a X user responded.
“No need to act over-smart, @sardesairajdeep Ji. You’re free to praise in any manner to impress the TMC or the TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mrs Sardesai. just because a Rath Yatra is held in Digha, it doesn’t become a “second Rath Yatra.” Even in my own city, ISKCON organises a Rath Yatra, but it’s understood as a replica, not the sacred and original Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra,” wrote another.
Sabayachi was also quick to rebut that the journalist was contradicting his previous tweet. “How contradictory reply sir… Your original tweet says “Ratha Yatra has 2 addresses” & now u are replying “No Comparison with Jagannath Yatra”. Hope u are aware that this is not the 1st time a Jagannatht temple is build. Thousands of Temple are there world wide & we feel proud about it as true Bhaktas of Mahaprabhu. Secondly, I have hundreds of Bengali friends who truly & proudly love to endorse the Jagannath culture. Even they are hurt the way u have written your initial statement. Odisha & Bengal need your apology & I leave it to your conscience.”
Notably, around 750 devotees required hospitalisation due to exhaustion and crowd pressure during Friday’s Rath Yatra in Puri. Over 230 were admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) while 520 were treated at the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Puri. Most of them were discharged after preliminary treatment, but one critically ill devotee had to be shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for specialised care. Twelve patients are currently in the ICU, according to health officials.
However, it was the delay in pulling of chariots with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra being stuck midway and Lord Jagannath barely moving a few metres from Shree Jagannath Temple, which had sparked a massive political outcry. It is alleged that the chariots could not be pulled due the presence of a large number of VIP and VVIP pass holders inside the security cordons around the chariots.
Also Read: Truth Behind Rath Yatra Mess In Puri!
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, who is recuperating at a hospital in Mumbai after surgery, in a post on X said: “We aren’t here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday’s inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath’s) chariot. But it’s impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our state.”
