The recent visit of social media influencer and YouTuber Kamiya Jani to the Puri Jagannath temple has snowballed into a controversy with BJP leaders in Odisha questioning how could someone who has been promoting beef gain entry into the 12th century shrine which is the sanctum of pious Hindus. Some BJP leaders even called for her arrest even though Jani has since clarified that she neither eats beef nor promotes its consumption.
State BJP leaders have also been targeting bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian, chairperson 5T and Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha who was private secretary to chief minister Naveen Patnaik before he recently took voluntary retirement from IAS. Since he accompanied Jani he is being accused of having facilitated her entry into the shrine.
In a video on her YouTube channel, Jani was seen interacting with VK Pandian with the discussion focussing on the significance of ‘Mahaprasad,’ ( the cooked food offering made to the lord) and the ongoing heritage corridor project around the shrine. However, the BJP not only objected to Jani’s presence, citing the alleged use of a video camera which is prohibited by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) it also accused her of hurting the sentiments of the Hindus. The BJP has even threatened to move court for arrest.
As the controversy assumed serious dimensions Jani, who is also a food blogger, addressed the issue on her Instagram asserting that her mission was to promote Indian culture and heritage globally. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) also dismissed the allegations of a camera being taken inside the temple as baseless. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticized the BJP for trying to make a mountain out of a molehill and clarified that Jani consumed ‘Mahaprasad’ at Radha Ballav ‘Mutt’ (monastery) and not within the temple premises.
Jani, who claims to promote Indian culture, is known for her interviews with various celebrities and politicians. In a statement she pleaded complete innocence saying “Not that anyone has reached out to me, but just here to clarify that I don’t and have never eaten Beef. Jai Jagannath.”
Jani, the founder of Curly Tales and a food blogger, has also said that she is a Hindu and does not eat or promote beef. In a video message she said, “My aim behind visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri was to seek the blessing of the deity and inform people about the infrastructure development of the shrine. Unfortunately, my visit has become controversial”.
Noting that the temple authorities have rules, Jani said, “I want to clarify that I haven’t broken any rule. I am a practicing Hindu. I have neither consumed beef nor promoted it.” As a food blogger she has been informing people about local cuisines of various places.
However, the BJP continues to project her as a “beef eater” and a promoter of beef consumption. The saffron party has raised questions as to how she was allowed entry into the 12th century shrine. It also demanded action against Jani and 5T (transformation initiative) chairman VK Pandian for allegedly facilitating her visit to the temple.
Many feel that the real target of BJP’s attack is Pandian who is considered to be the man wielding real power behind chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Now that he has made a formal entry into politics he is likely to not only devise BJD’s electoral strategy but also implement it. The BJP being the main opposition party is wary of Pandian and wants to corner him. Congress, too, has been targeting the former bureaucrat on the issue but he is yet to make a statement clarifying his position.
It may be mentioned that Pandian is the main who monitors the Shree Mandir Parikrama heritage project on a day to day basis. The BJD is keen to dedicate the project to the people of the country with great fanfare to tap into the sentiments of the Hindus. This is being seen as a clever move by the political party.
Senior BJD leaders have jumped to the defence of Pandian and questioned the BJP for objecting to the visit of Jani to the Jaganath temple while the BJP government at the Centre was making documentaries by engaging the YouTuber and blogger. “BJP government appointed Kamiya Jani to make films on Hindu heritage and temples. She has gone to Chardham and Ayodhya to see Ram Lalla. And all of you love her for that,” said a senior party leader.
The issue has definitely assumed political overtones in an election year. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committtee president Sarat Pattnayak demanded an apology from Patnaik if Jani’s visit to the temple took place on his instructions and with his permission. Shree Jagannath Sankruti Surakha Abhijan, a local outfit, also staged a demonstration in Bhubaneswar, demanding action against Jani and Pandian.
However, interestingly while Jani has issued clarification twice on the issue so far, Pandian has studiously avoided commenting on it. “Jai Jagannth” was his reported reply when asked about it.
