Sambit Patra, a prominent spokesperson and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made headlines after his statement sparked controversy. The controversy stirred over his remarks that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Narendra Modi. The statement has initiated an outrage among people. However, on Tuesday, he clarified his stance and apologized for the same. Posting a video on his X handle, he reportedly stated, I will fast for the next three days to atone for this mistake, which translates to fasting or abstaining from food in Hindi. This statement came after what was described as a slip of the tongue. He further stated, “I bow down at the feet of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath Ji and beg for forgiveness. I will be fasting for the next 3 days to correct my mistake and repent.”आज महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ जी को लेकर मुझसे जो भूल हुई है, उस विषय को लेकर मेरा अंतर्मन अत्यंत पीड़ित है।मैं महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ जी के चरणों में शीश झुकाकर क्षमा याचना करता हूँ। अपने इस भूल सुधार और पश्चाताप के लिए अगले 3 दिन मैं उपवास पर रहूँगा।जय जगन्नाथ। 🙏ଆଜି ଶ୍ରୀ… pic.twitter.com/rKavOxMjIq— Sambit Patra (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sambitswaraj) May 20, 2024However, he later clarified that he meant to say that PM Modi is a devotee of Lord JagannathPatras remark caused outrage among people and political opponents, especially from the chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, because it was perceived as insensitive or trivializing a serious matter.The event happened amid PM Modis road show. Later, Patra explained that he meant to emphasize PM Modis adoration for Lord Jagannath, but mispronounced it as Jagannath is Modis bhakt. His comment was captured on camera and caused a stir right away, receiving backlash from a variety of sources. As a kind of atonement, Patra announced a month of upvaas (fasting) in response to the political fallout.Lakhs of people have gathered here to see PM Modi. Jagannath is Modis bhakt and we are all PM Modis family. I cannot control my emotions and I think today is a momentous day for all Odias, said Patra, who is the BJP candidate from Puri.Naveen Ji Namaskar!I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modijis Road Show in Puri today, everywhere I mentioned that Modi ji is an ardent “Bhakt” of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu ..by mistake during one of the bytes I… https://t.co/6Q1Kuj5E6O— Sambit Patra (Modi Ka Parivar) (@sambitswaraj) May 20, 2024Meanwhile, BJDs Naveen Patnaik has condemned the statement, calling it an insult to the deity.
