Sambit Patra Apologizes for ‘Slip of the Tongue’ on Lord Jagannath, Announces Three-Day Fast
Puri: Embroiled in a controversy over his “slip of the tongue” regarding Lord Jagannath, BJP leader and Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra has apologized and announced a three-day fast as penance starting Tuesday. This decision comes after facing widespread criticism from various quarters.
On Monday, May 20, while giving interviews to television channels, Patra mistakenly said that the State’s most revered deity, “Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He later clarified that it was an inadvertent mistake, and he intended to convey that the Prime Minister is an ardent devotee (‘bhakt’) of Lord Jagannath, not the other way around.
Taking to X, Patra expressed his remorse, saying: “For this mistake, I apologize at the feet of Lord Sri Jagannath. I will fast for the next three days to atone for this mistake.” He explained that during the occasion of PM Modi’s roadshow in Puri on Monday, he was in conversation with multiple media outlets. In the course of these discussions, he mistakenly said “Modi’s Bhakti Jagannath” instead of “Maha Prabhu Sri Jagannath’s Bhakti Modi.”
Public Apology and Fast
Patra’s public apology and decision to undertake a fast reflect the sensitivity surrounding religious sentiments, especially concerning revered deities like Lord Jagannath. His swift response indicates an attempt to mitigate the backlash and show respect for the religious feelings of the people.
Reaction from the Community
The community’s reaction was swift and strong, highlighting the deep reverence for Lord Jagannath. By choosing to fast and publicly apologize, Patra aims to demonstrate his sincerity and respect towards the deity and the sentiments of the devotees.
Conclusion
Sambit Patra’s prompt apology and his commitment to fasting for three days underscore the importance of acknowledging and respecting religious sentiments. As a prominent political figure, his actions and words are closely scrutinized, and this incident serves as a reminder of the care required when speaking about matters of faith.
Related Topics:
- Politics
- Religion
- Sambit Patra
- BJP
- Puri
- Lord Jagannath
