BJP's Sambit Patra fasts in atonement after calling Lord Jagannath 'bhakt' of PM Modi

BJP leaderSambit Patra, in an apparent slip of tongue, said the revered Hindu god Jagannath is the "bhakt" (devotee) of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While interacting with media personnel after the roadshow of Prime Minister Modi in Odisha's Puri on Monday (May 21), Patra made the gaffe which triggered a fierce backlash from the opposition, especially Odisha Chief MinisterNaveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

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"Lakhs of people have gathered here to see PM Modi. Jagannath is Modi's bhakt and we are all PM Modi's family. I cannot control my emotions and I think today is a momentous day for all Odias," Patra, who is BJP's candidate in Puri, said in haste, causing a political storm.

Opposition launches attack on Patra's comment

The comment was immediately condemned by Odisha Chief MinisterNaveen Patnaik who is planning a sixth consecutive term in the Indian state.

Taking to X, Patnaikwrote, "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."

"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 people of Odisha for a very long time," he added.

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Congress leaderRahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders joined in criticising the arrogance of the BJP leader.

Kejriwal said that the statement of Patra is an "insult to God". Congress further demanded an apology from the prime minister himself.

"Sambit Patra,whoisimmersedin Modi Bhakti, should not have committed this sin. Narendra Modi should apologise for this disgusting statement," stated the Congress's official communication.

Sambit Patra tenders apology, fasts in atonement

In the wake of backlash from leaders of the Opposition, Patra wrote on social media, "I gavea number ofbytes today to multiple media channels...by mistakeduringone of thebytesI pronounced just the opposite. I know youtooknowand understand this. Sir, let's not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue. We all have a slip of the tongue sometimes."

However, the matter was not defused and continued to escalate which forced the BJP leader to mark a period of "upvaas" (fasting) in atonement.

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"Today, a statement made by me had created a controversy.After PM Narendra Modi's roadshow in Puri, I gave byte to many media channelsandeverywhereI said the same thing, that PMNarendra Modi is an ardent devotee of Mahaprabhu Jagannath...In the end, when another channel took my byte, it wasextremely hot, crowded and noisy.Unknowingly, while giving the byte, I said the opposite, that Mahaprabhuis a devotee of PM Narendra Modi.Thiscan never be true, and a person in his senses can never say such things that god is a devotee of a human. I have made this mistake unintentionally. I know some people must havebeen hurtbuteven god forgives mistakes made unintentionally...I need to seek forgiveness from Mahaprabhu Jagannath for this slip of the tongueandI have decided to do a 'upvaas'," said Patra.

Even though Patra extended an apology, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) filed a formal complaint and alleged that the statement made by Patra was aimed at insulting religious sentiments.

He was also accused of violating the model code of conduct.

(With inputs from agencies)