Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday, 17 June said that trust and faith illuminate human life, and that spiritual consciousness steers society toward peace, harmony, and moral values. Saha made the remarks at Bishalgarh in Sepahijala district after unveiling a statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and inaugurating the newly constructed Maa Dakshineswari Kali Mandir.

Key Remarks at the Inauguration

Addressing the gathering, Saha said the transition from an atheist mindset to one rooted in faith and spirituality strengthens peace, human values, and social cohesion. 'When religious and cultural values flourish in society, people become more strongly connected through the bonds of respect, compassion and harmony,' he said.

He described the Maa Dakshineswari Kali Temple as more than a place of worship, calling it deeply tied to the cultural heritage of the people of Tripura. He expressed confidence that the temple would, in the coming days, emerge as a significant centre of faith, devotion, and spiritual practice.

Veiled Criticism of the Left

Without naming the Left parties — which governed Tripura for over two decades before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2018 — Saha said the previous rulers did not believe in temples or religious traditions. 'They were atheists. But now the situation is changing, and people are increasingly embracing faith and spirituality. After our government came to power in 2018, an atmosphere of faith and spiritual consciousness has been created across Tripura,' he said.

This is consistent with BJP's broader political framing in the Northeast, where cultural and religious identity has been positioned as a counterpoint to decades of Left governance.

Saha Praises PM Modi's Approach to Faith and Development

The Chief Minister also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fostering a national atmosphere of spiritual awakening alongside development. He cited several landmark projects: the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024; Modi's return visit to Ayodhya on 25 November 2025 to hoist the religious flag; the inauguration of one of the world's largest meditation centres in Varanasi in December 2023; the unveiling of the 112-foot Adiyogi Shiva statue in Coimbatore in 2017; the dedication of the 216-foot Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya in 2022; and the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in Varanasi.

'On one hand, the Prime Minister is strengthening the nation through development and progress, while on the other, he is preserving and promoting India's rich spiritual and cultural traditions,' Saha said.

Tourism Potential and Next Steps

Saha noted that discussions were already underway about developing the Maa Dakshineswari Kali Temple as a tourism destination. 'I will discuss this matter with the ministers and officials of the concerned departments,' he said, signalling that a formal proposal could follow.

Members of the Legislative Assembly Sushanta Deb and Antara Deb Sarkar, along with several other prominent personalities, were present at the programme. The temple's inauguration marks another step in what the Tripura government describes as a broader cultural revival in the state since 2018.