Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra, who faced backlash for his controversial remarks about Lord Jagannath, has clarified his statement and apologised for what he described as a ‘slip of the tongue’. Patra, the BJP candidate from Puri Lok Sabha seat, found himself in hot water in Odisha after he told a local news channel that “Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
In conversation with ANI Monday night, Patra said, “Today one of my statements has become controversial. It was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow came to an end in Puri and I was giving out bytes to several media channels.”
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“I had given out bytes to almost 15-16 channels wherein I was repeating that Prime Minister Modi is an ardent devotee of Maha Prabhu Jagannath Ji. Even as the Chief Minister of Ahmedabad and even before that, PM Modi used to regularly visit and offer prayers at Lord Jagannath temple there in Ahmedabad,” Patra said.
“It was never my intention to commit this mistake, but still because Mahaprabhu Jagannath is the Lord of the Universe and I am an ardent devotee just like the hundreds and thousands of Odias, I feel I should convey my apology and offer penance to the Lord for a ‘slip of the tongue’ that occurred unknowingly.”
“Hence, I have decided to observe fasting as an apology,” Patra clarified.
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Congress, BJD and AAP slam remarks
On Monday, Patra’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition Congress, BJD, and AAP, who accused the BJP leader of insulting Lord Jagannath and offending devotees.
Sharing the video of Patra, Congress slammed and demanded an apology from PM Modi himself over his remarks declaring ‘Mahaprabhu Lord Shri Jagannath a devotee of Narendra Modi.’ Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also denounced Patra’s comments, urging the BJP to keep the Lord above political discourse.
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Despite his clarification, opposition parties seized on his remarks, terming them an ‘insult’ to Lord Jagannath. The Congress posted on X, “BJP leader Sambit Patra saying that Mahaprabhu Lord Shri Jagannath is a devotee of Narendra Modi. This is a grave insult to Mahaprabhu. This statement has hurt the faith of crores of devotees.”
“Sambit Patra, who is immersed in Modi Bhakti, should not have committed this sin. Narendra Modi should apologise for this disgusting statement,” the party demanded in the post on X.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it reinforces “our charge that a BJP, drunk with power, will not even spare our Gods, let alone India’s people.” Further Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also rebuked the remarks saying, “When the prime minister starts considering himself as an emperor and his courtiers start considering him as God, then it is clear that the downfall of the ‘Lanka of sin’ is near.”
BJD leader and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also expressed his disapproval on X, stating, “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 Odia Asmita. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is totally condemnable.”
“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 the people of Odisha for a very long time,” Patnaik continued.
On the other hand, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the remarks by Patra reflect the “arrogance” of BJP leaders.
“They have started thinking that they are above God. This is the height of arrogance. Calling God bhakt of Modi ji is an insult to God.” Congress in-charge for Odisha, Ajoy Kumar also said in a post, “The country and Odisha will not tolerate this insult of Lord Jagannath ji!.” “Will the media ask any question to Sambit Patra? Where are those journalists with the 7 pm agenda? Where have those Hindutva organisations gone,” he asked.
What did Sambit Patra say ?
BJP candidate Sambit Patra inadvertently sparked controversy on Monday after he mistakenly claimed, “Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of PM Modi.” “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.”
He made the remark while speaking to reporters during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election and the second phase of the Odisha Assembly election.The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, with the counting scheduled for June 4.