BJP's Sambit Patra's 'slip of tongue', calls Lord Jagannath PM Modi's devotee; says "Will observe 3 day fast to repent"

BJP spokesperson and candidate from Puri Sambit Patra, who faced backlash for calling Lord Jagannath“Modi's devotee”, has now apologised, calling his remark a "slip of tongue" and said that he would fast for three days to repent for his mistake.

Taking to X (previously Twitter), Sambit Patra wrote: "Today, I am deeply troubled by the mistake I have made regarding Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Ji. I bow down at the feet of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath Ji and beg for forgiveness. I will be fasting for the next three days to correct my mistake and repent."

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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, 2024 >

A video clip on Monday went viral which shows Patra speaking to a private Odia channel where he could be heard saying that Lord Jagannath is PM Modi's bhakt (devotee).

"Lakhs of people have gathered to see Modi. Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of Modi, and we are Modi's family. This is an unusual sight, and I am not able to control my emotions. I think it is a historic day for all Odias," Patra said in the viral clip.

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BJP spokesman Sambit Patra — “Prabhu Jagannath is a bhakt of Modi”

What a shameful statement by him, it’s an insult to the people of Hindu community. pic.twitter.com/7wdgLUYjCG

— Santosh Diwate (@diwate35619) May 21, 2024 >

Reacting to the video, Odisha Chief Minister and the ruling Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik said, "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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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…

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 20, 2024 >

Replying to Naveen Patnaik's post on X, Sambit Patra wrote, "Naveen Ji Namaskar! I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modiji’s 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 pronounced just the opposite. I know you too know and understand this."

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Naveen Ji Namaskar!
I gave number of bytes today to multiple media channels after the massive success of Shri Narendra Modiji’s 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, 2024 >

"Sir, let’s not make an issue out of a nonexistent issue. We all have 'slip of tongue' sometimes. Thanks and Pranam," he added.