Naihati ‘Baro Maa’ temple changes tagline after regime change:Committee says ‘no need to tell everyone that Maa belongs to all’

The famous Baro Maa temple in Naihati, North 24 Parganas, has changed its tagline from “Religion may differ, but Baro Maa belongs to everyone” to “Devotion to Baro Maa, the strength of Sanatan.” Old message replaced with Sanatan slogan The change has drawn attention as it comes after a change of government in West Bengal. However, the temple committee and local MLA have denied any political connection, saying the decision was taken in response to repeated requests from devotees and Sanatani organisations. The temple previously displayed the message, “Religion may differ, but Baro Maa belongs to everyone.” It has now been replaced with “Devotion to Baro Maa, the strength of Sanatan.” Devotees express mixed reactions to change According to the temple committee, requests to change the tagline had been coming from devotees for a long time. The committee said it took the decision to respect their sentiments. While some devotees have welcomed the change, others feel the earlier message was better. Woman devotee describes her prayer experience A woman devotee said she had been able to offer prayers for five minutes, whereas earlier it was difficult to stand inside the temple even for a second. She said she did not know how much strength Sanatan represented but felt fulfilled after offering prayers. Committee member explains reason behind decision Committee member Arnab Roy said several Sanatani organisations had been requesting the committee to change the tagline. He added that he personally wanted the change and was also associated with the Naihati unit of the Hindu Jagran Manch. Everyone does not need to be told that Maa belongs to everyone. Whoever worships Maa, Maa belongs to them, Roy said, questioning why such a message was necessary when similar statements were not displayed at mosques or churches. He said the new tagline was intended to promote Sanatan beliefs and expressed hope that devotees would accept it. Naihati MLA denies political connection to change Naihati MLA Sumitra Chattopadhyay said residents had been demanding a tagline reflecting Sanatani identity for a long time, and similar requests had also reached the temple committee. There is no connection between this change and the change of government. This government does not practise appeasement politics. We work according to people’s wishes, she said, denying any political motive behind the decision. ​