Even though Odisha has received the Geographical Index (GI) tag for ‘Odisha Rasagola’ and West Bengal the same for ‘Banglar Rosogolla’, the verbal battle over the origin of the sweetmeat is far from getting over.

The latest chapter of the debate unfolded at the Zee TV’s singing reality show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ when Sthitipadma Dash from Cuttack made a befitting reply to a query of judge Himesh Reshammiya over Rasagola during the auditions.

Before the audition of Dash, Reshammiya had asked several contestants whether Rasagola belongs to West Bengal or Odisha. While all contestants answered in the favour of West Bengal, Dash was the first to differ.

As Dash introduced herself as a resident of Cuttack, Odisha, Reshammiya asked the same question to her saying he was waiting to ask it to someone from Odisha.

“I wouldn’t like to take the things further, but Jai Jagannath, Rasagola Amara (Rasagola is ours)…End of discussion,” replied Dash in a confident manner, which left Reshammiya and two other judges, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Dadlani, speechless.

As Reshammiya went on to ask, “What about the claims of the people of West Bengal that the sweet belongs to their state”, Dash said, “If they are arguing, let them do so. ‘Rosogolla’ might be theirs, but ‘Rasagola’ is ours.”

A video of the portion of the show has surfaced on various social media platforms, gaining the praise of Odisha people. A resident of the Shelter Chhak area in Cuttack, Sthitipadma is the daughter of music composer and singer Sushil Chandra Dash and Sailabala Dash.

The 20-year-old girl is a second year student of the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. She had appeared for the auditions in Mumbai last month and qualified among top 30 contestants.