Sambit Patra Upvaas : BJP leader Sambit Patra recently found himself embroiled in a controversy following an inadvertent comment during a media interaction in Odisha. The remark suggested that Lord Jagannath, the revered deity of Puri, is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This statement, captured on camera, sparked a political storm, prompting Mr. Patra to undertake a period of “upvaas” (fasting) as atonement.
Sambit Patra’s Jaw-Dropping Slip: Undertakes “Upvaas” After Shocking Comment!
The Incident
During a media interaction following PM Modi’s roadshow in Puri, Sambit Patra aimed to highlight PM Modi’s devotion to Lord Jagannath. However, amidst the heat and chaos, he mistakenly stated, “Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt” instead of the intended message. The slip of the tongue immediately drew widespread criticism from political rivals, including Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
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Patra’s Explanation and Atonement
Acknowledging his mistake, Sambit Patra took to social media to clarify his statement. He emphasized that the error was unintentional, made under stressful conditions, and sought forgiveness from Mahaprabhu Jagannath. He announced his decision to undertake a fast as an act of atonement.
“Today, a statement made by me created a controversy. After PM Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Puri, I gave byte to many media channels and everywhere I said the same thing, that PM Narendra Modi is an ardent devotee of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Unknowingly, while giving the byte, I said the opposite, that Mahaprabhu is a devotee of PM Narendra Modi. This can 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 need to seek forgiveness from Mahaprabhu Jagannath for this slip of the tongue and I have decided to do a ‘upvaas’,” Mr. Patra explained.
Political Reactions
The reaction from Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was swift and severe. He condemned Mr. Patra’s statement, asserting that such remarks insult the sanctity of Lord Jagannath and hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees. He urged the BJP to refrain from dragging the deity into political discourse, a sentiment echoed by other opposition leaders.
“Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of the 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,” Mr. Patnaik wrote.
Broader Political Fallout
The controversy quickly gained traction, with leaders from various parties joining the condemnation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP’s perceived arrogance, suggesting that such statements indicate a dangerous level of self-aggrandizement within the party. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Mr. Patra’s statement a height of arrogance and an “insult to God.”
The Congress, BJD, and AAP capitalized on the uproar, with the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Modi himself. “Sambit Patra, who is immersed in Modi Bhakti, should not have committed this sin. Narendra Modi should apologize for this disgusting statement,” stated the Congress’s official communication.
Patra’s Clarification
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Mr. Patra reached out directly to Chief Minister Patnaik on social media, explaining the inadvertent nature of his comment. Despite his apology, opposition parties remained unyielding. The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) lodged a formal complaint, alleging that Mr. Patra’s statement was a deliberate attempt to insult religious sentiments and called for strict action.
Conclusion
As Odisha heads into a crucial phase of the elections, the controversy surrounding Sambit Patra’s gaffe has the potential to influence voter sentiment. The BJP, striving to make significant inroads in the state, now faces the challenge of mitigating the fallout from this incident. The political landscape in Odisha remains tense, with the opposition parties leveraging the controversy to their advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sambit Patra’s “Upvaas” Vow
1. What did Sambit Patra say that caused controversy?
- Sambit Patra mistakenly said, “Jagannath is Modi’s bhakt,” implying that the deity is a devotee of PM Modi.
2. How did Sambit Patra explain his remark?
- He clarified that it was a slip of the tongue due to the heat, crowd, and noise, and that he meant to say PM Modi is a devotee of Lord Jagannath.
3. What action did Sambit Patra take to atone for his mistake?
- He decided to undertake a period of “upvaas” (fasting) as an act of atonement.
4. Who criticized Sambit Patra’s remarks?
- Political rivals, especially Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and leaders from Congress and AAP, heavily criticized his remarks.
5. What was Naveen Patnaik’s response to Patra’s comment?
- Naveen Patnaik condemned the statement, calling it an insult to Lord Jagannath and hurtful to millions of devotees.
6. How did the BJP respond to the controversy?
- The BJP has not issued a formal apology, but Sambit Patra has personally apologized and explained his mistake.
7. What did Congress demand following Patra’s remarks?
- Congress demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Patra’s statement.
8. What is the significance of Lord Jagannath in Odisha?
- Lord Jagannath is a revered deity in Odisha, central to the cultural and religious identity of the state.
9. Did Sambit Patra receive support from any political leaders?
- As of now, no prominent political leader has publicly supported Patra’s remarks or actions.
10. What was the public reaction to Patra’s vow of fasting?
- Public reaction has been mixed, with some seeing it as a sincere apology and others viewing it as a political move.
11. What is the ‘upvaas’ that Sambit Patra has vowed to undertake?
- ‘Upvaas’ refers to fasting, often undertaken in Indian culture as a form of penance or religious observance.
12. Did Patra’s comment affect BJP’s campaign in Odisha?
- The comment sparked controversy which could potentially impact the BJP’s image and campaign in Odisha.
13. What other leaders reacted to Patra’s statement?
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the statement.
14. Has Sambit Patra faced similar controversies in the past?
- Sambit Patra is known for his outspoken nature, but this specific kind of religious controversy is a notable incident.
15. What are the potential political implications of this controversy?
- The controversy could influence voter sentiment in Odisha and impact BJP’s electoral performance.
16. How did Sambit Patra apologize for his statement?
- He issued a public apology on social media, explaining the circumstances of the slip of tongue and expressing regret.
17. What measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?
- There have been no specific measures announced, but heightened sensitivity towards religious sentiments is expected.
18. How has the media covered this incident?
- The incident has been widely covered, with extensive discussion on TV channels, newspapers, and social media.
19. What is the current status of Sambit Patra’s fasting vow?
- As of the latest updates, Sambit Patra has begun his ‘upvaas’ as promised.
20. Will this controversy affect Sambit Patra’s political career?
- The long-term impact on his career remains uncertain, but immediate repercussions include criticism and scrutiny from opponents and the public.
