In a recent development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra expressed regret over his statement concerning Lord Jagannath, clarifying it as a “slip of the tongue.”
Patra, who is the BJP candidate from Puri Lok Sabha seat, found himself amidst a controversy in Odisha after he made a statement suggesting that “Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
In his clarification, Patra attributed the statement to a verbal error made amidst a flurry of interactions with media channels during Prime Minister Modi’s roadshow in Puri. He emphasized that his intention was to highlight PM Modi’s devotion to Lord Jagannath and regretted any sentiments inadvertently hurt by his comment.
Patra further stated his commitment to offering penance by observing a fast as an expression of apology to Lord Jagannath, acknowledging the significance of the deity in the lives of millions of devotees.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who denounced the statement as an insult to the revered deity. Patnaik urged political parties to refrain from politicizing matters concerning religious sentiments.
Congress also condemned Patra’s remark and demanded an apology, while emphasizing the need to maintain the sanctity of religious discourse in public discourse.
Prime Minister Modi, alongside Patra, held a roadshow in Puri as part of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Patra is contesting against candidates from the Congress and BJD in the electoral fray.
As the Lok Sabha elections progress through various phases, incidents like these underscore the sensitivity surrounding religious sentiments in political discourse. The voting for the fifth phase of the elections commenced across multiple states and Union Territories, with the counting scheduled for June 4th.
