'Lord Jagannath devotee of PM Modi', says Sambit Patra; Opposition lashes out at BJP

Patra's controversial comments coincided with PM Modi's visit to Odisha's Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri early in the day.

BJP leader and the party's Puri Lok Sabha seat candidate, Sambit Patra, stirred controversy on May 20 with his comments relating Lord Jagannath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections and the second phase of the Odisha Assembly election.

Patra, while interacting with reporters, stated, "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi," sparking strong reactions from opposition parties.

The BJP leader, however, later clarified that it was a slip of the tongue and asked the Opposition not to make an issue out of a nonexistent matter.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik slammed Patra for his remarks, stating that he has insulted Lord Jagannath and undermined the faith of millions of people.

The CM took to microblogging site X, criticising the BJP's Puri Lok Sabha constituency candidate.

"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", he wrote.

He further said, "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".

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.

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The Lord is the greatest Symbol of…

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 20, 2024

AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also slammed Patra's comments. He wrote on X, "I strongly condemn this statement of BJP. They have started thinking that they are above God".

"This is height of arrogance. Calling God bhakt of Modi ji is an insult to God," said Kejriwal.

I strongly condemn this statement of BJP. They have started thinking that they are above God. This is height of arrogance. Calling God bhakt of Modi ji is an insult to God. https://t.co/cOP23BpOqh

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 20, 2024

The local Congress unit labeled it a direct assault on Odisha's pride, or 'Asmita.'

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 controversial comments coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Odisha's Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri early in the day, where he offered prayers. Later, the Prime Minister took to X sharing about his experience at Puri Jagannath Temple.

"Thank you Puri. I bow in gratitude to this iconic place, associated with divinity and culture," he wrote.

Thank you Puri. I bow in gratitude to this iconic place, associated with divinity and culture. The roadshow this morning was spectacular. The heat didn’t deter the crowds from coming and blessing us. Each of these blessings are cherished and inspire us to work harder for the… pic.twitter.com/FVEzalTpbQ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2024

Patra's comments are being seen as a setback in Odisha by the ruling BJD and the Congress amid the high-voltage clashes in the Lok Sabha as well as the Assembly elections.