Taking strong exception to neighbouring West Bengal’s move to formally stake claim over Rasagulla as their invention, the ruling BJD members on Thursday raised the issue in the Assembly and asked the Government to take steps for protection of the State’s culture and heritage.
“There is an attempt to hijack the heritage of Odisha,” they said, adding that the Chief Minister should intervene in the issue.
When everybody knows that Rasagulla is being offered to lord Jagannath for centuries, how can West Bengal Government claim that the sweet is their invention,” Ranedra Pratap Swain said raising the issue during Zero Hour.
There is recorded evidence of about 300 years that Rasagulla is being offered to lord Jagannath, Swain said, adding, there should be no doubt over its origin in Odisha.
Swain was supported by his party colleague Priyadarshi Mishra who claimed that Odisha used to observe Rasagulla Day every year, a day before lord Jagannath’s Bahuda Jatra (return car festival). He said many eminent persons of the State including some editors attended the function marking observance of the Rasagulla Day.
“lord Jagannath used to appease Goddess laxmi by offering Rasogolla to Her on the Niladri Vije Day (the day on which the lord enters the Shrine after completing Rath Jatra,” Mishra said.
The BJD law-maker said another sweet ’Sandesh’ may have originated from Bengal, but not Rasagulla.
Meanwhile, in May this year the Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has already started initiative for obtaining geographical indication (GI) for Rasogolla.