Odisha Cong demands CM’s apology over YouTuber Kamiya Jani’s Puri Jagannath temple visit

Bhubaneswar: The Congress party in Odisha has sought stern action against Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and 5T chairman VK Pandian for allegedly facilitating the visit of social media influencer Kamiya Jani to Puri Jagannath temple recently.

It has been alleged that Kamiya Jani had earlier eaten beef and promoted the same in social media. However, Kamiya has rejected the allegations and claimed that she had never eaten beef.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak sought an apology from BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.

“Has VK Pandian facilitated the visit of Youtuber Kamiya Jani to Puri Jagannath temple as per the direction of Odisha Chief Minister? If so, then the Chief Minister should tender an apology immediately. The incident has hurt the religious sentiments of Odia people. The Congress party condemns it,” Pattanayak said.

OPCC campaign committee chief Bijay Patnaik too criticized the BJD government and the regional party’s leadership over the issue. “VK Pandian often tells that he is acting as per the direction of the Chief Minister. Is the Chief Minister aware of Kamiya Jani’s Jagannath temple visit? If yes, then the Chief Minister should apologize on the issue. If the CM is unaware of the incident, then he should seek explanations from VK Pandian and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The Chief Minister should initiate stern action against VK Pandian,” said Patnaik, a former Chief Secretary in Odisha.

Commenting on the issue, BJP leader and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Lord Jagannath is closely associated with the religious sentiments of Odia people and followers of Sanatan Dharma. No one should play with the religious sentiments of Odia people either knowingly or unknowingly,” Pradhan said.

BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh also sought action against VK Pandian, a former IAS officer.

पुरी श्रीमंदिर में पवित्रता का उल्लंघन बेहद परेशान करने वाला है।
वीके पांडियन द्वारा प्रतिष्ठित जगन्नाथ मंदिर के भीतर एक बीफ प्रमोटर को अनुमति देना धर्म,इतिहास और आध्यात्मिकता की उपेक्षा है।
जिम्मेदार लोगों के लिए त्वरित और गंभीर करवाई अति आवश्यक हैं। pic.twitter.com/PEhC4Syb6U

— Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) December 23, 2023

“It is a matter of grave concern that the incident has affected the sanctity of Puri Srimandir. VK Pandian has facilitated the shrine visit of a social media influencer, who had earlier promoted beef. The incident is against our history, culture and religious belief. Stern action should be initiated against the guilty,” Singh said in a Twitter (X) post today.

Earlier, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Manas Mangaraj claimed that the BJP government at the Centre had partnered with Kamiya Jani for making documents on some prominent temples across India.

“BJP government appointed Kamiya Jani to make films on Hindu heritage and temples. She had gone to Char Dham and Ayodhya. Many BJP leaders had praised Jani for this,” Mangaraj said.