BJP leader Sambit Patra says Lord Jagannath is a bhakt of Modi. Using our revered Lord Jagannath as a political pawn is disgraceful. BJP's Sambit Patra's statement is an insult to our culture and faith. Religion should never be exploited for political gains. Shame on those who reduce our sacred beliefs to mere vote-bank strategies.
A X user demands immediate disqualification of the candidates writes "What an outrageous statement by the BJP's Puri candidate saying that Lord Jagannath is a bhakt of Mr. Modi. He should be immediately disqualified!"
Another X user writes "He is Sambit Patra, BJP leader and tailor.
He is a badmouth known for his illogical comments.
Here he is saying that Lord Jagannath is Modi Bhakt.
According to him, Modi is bigger than all the gods.
Isn’t this an insult to sanatana dharma and our Bhagwans?
I hope he will be called out for this."
Cheif Minister of Odisha respondes to this controversy, later this evening he tweeted
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.
The Lord is the greatest Symbol of Odia Asmita. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is totally condemnable.
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.
