Patra's 'slip of tongue' on Lord Jagannath, Modi sparks row
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sambit Patra has triggered a political controversy after a slip of the tongue in a remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lord Jagannath, went viral. In the viral clip, Patra is speaking to a private Odia channel, where he can be heard saying that Lord Jagannath is a bhakt (devotee) of PM Modi. The BJP leader's comment sparked severe backlash from the BJP's political rivals, partticularly Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal.
Demeaned faith: Patnaik hits out at Patra's statement
Reacting to the video, Patnaik said, "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...demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world." Calling Lord Jagannath the greatest symbol of Odia asmita (pride), Patnaik hit back at Patra's statement. "You have deeply hurt Odia Asmita...this will be remembered and condemned by the people of Odisha," he said.
Kejriwal, Congress hit out at Patra
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal also criticized Patra, calling his remark an "insult to God." "I...condemn this statement of BJP. They have started thinking that they are above God," he said. The Congress also hit out at the BJP over Patra's remark. "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 himself should apologize," a post on party's X handle said.
Patra's clarification and atonement for controversial comment
Patra later clarified his remarks, saying that it was a slip of tongue. Replying to Patnaik's post on X, Patra wrote, "Naveen Ji Namaskar! I gave number of bytes 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." "Sir, let's not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue. We all have 'slip of tongue' sometimes. Thanks and Pranam," he added.
Patra to fast to 'repent' for his mistake
He then added in a video on X that he would fast for three days to repent for his mistake. "Today, I am deeply troubled by the mistake I have made regarding Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Ji," a rough translation of Patra's post in Hindi read. "I bow down at the feet of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath Ji and beg for forgiveness. I will be fasting for the next three days to correct my mistake and repent," he added.
