A controversial advertisement published by the West Bengal government to promote the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha has sparked outrage after an inappropriate listing, “Female Vibrators in Digha,” appeared on a navigation map within the ad. The advertisement, which was printed on April 30, the day of the temple’s consecration ceremony, featured the temple’s location alongside a map, but the bizarre entry was spotted between Amrabati Park and Jagannath Ghat, a religious spot.
The error, which seems to have stemmed from a screenshot of an online map, was quickly flagged by social media users and drew criticism from various quarters. BJP leader Amit Malviya condemned the blunder as a “deliberate insult to Hindu sentiments.” The incident is especially embarrassing for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, which had been using the Jagannath temple project as an outreach to Bengal’s Hindu community. The mistake has further fueled political tensions, with critics accusing the government of showing insensitivity in religious matters.