New Delhi: Sambit Patra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha inadvertently kicked off a row Monday, after he mistakenly said that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patra was speaking to reporters after the prime minister’s roadshow in Puri, when he told local channel Kanak News, “…Lakhs of people have gathered to see Modi. Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of Modi, and we are Modi’s family. This is an unusual sight, and I am not able to control my emotions. I think it is a historic day for all Odias.”
Patra’s accidental remark drew sharp criticism from Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who called it an “insult” to the Lord.
“Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world,” Patnaik wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe.
Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world.
The Lord is the greatest Symbol of…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 20, 2024
The Lord is the greatest Symbol of Odia Asmita, Patnaik added. “I strongly denounce the statement made by the BJP Puri Lok Sabha candidate, and I appeal to the BJP to keep the Lord above any political discourse. By this, you have deeply hurt Odia Asmita and this will be remembered and condemned by people of Odisha for a very long time,” the chief minister wrote.
Patra responded to Patnaik’s post by clarifying that it was a “slip of tongue” and urged the CM to “not make an issue” of it.
“I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modiji’s Road Show in Puri today, everywhere I mentioned that Modi ji is an ardent “Bhakt” of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu… by mistake during one of the bytes, I pronounced just the opposite… I know you too know and understand this… Sir, let’s not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue… we all have slip of tongue sometimes…,” Patra wrote on X.
Naveen Ji Namaskar!
I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modiji’s Road Show in Puri today, everywhere I mentioned that Modi ji is an ardent “Bhakt” of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu ..by mistake during one of the bytes I… https://t.co/6Q1Kuj5E6O
— Sambit Patra (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sambitswaraj) May 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Odisha Congress also said that Patra’s comment was a direct attack on Odia Asmita (Odia pride).
“We want Sambit to apologize with folded hands in front of national media, and each and every citizen of Odisha. It’s very derogatory… You should mind your language,” read Odisha Congress’s post on X.
According to Sambit Patra – "Modi's bhakt is Jagannath"..
It's a direct attack on Odia Asmita……
We want Sambit to apologies with folded hands in front of National Media and Each and every citizen of Odisha.
It's very derogatory… You should mind your language. pic.twitter.com/QCpGtCCu7O
— Odisha Congress (@INCOdisha) May 20, 2024
Patra’s remark came on a day when PM Modi was campaigning in Puri, Cuttack and Angul. Before his roadshow in Puri, the PM prayed at the Jagannath temple.
“Prayed to Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. May His blessings always remain upon us and guide us to new heights of progress,” he posted on X.
The controversy has served as an opportunity for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to retaliate against the BJP, which has been targetting the Patnaik-led government in the state for disrespecting Odia pride and culture.
The ruling party is locked in a tough fight with BJP in the state. While BJD is trying to overcome anti-incumbency in its quest for power for the sixth time, BJP has also expanded its base in the state. From winning one seat in the 2014 general elections, the party increased its tally to 8 in 2019. It improved its assembly tally, too — from 10 seats in 2014 to 23 in 2019.
Odisha is witnessing Lok Sabha elections and state assembly polls, simultaneously, in four phases.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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