An unexpected controversy arose following YouTuber Kamiya Jani’s visit to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, prompting a political tussle with accusations of promoting beef consumption. Ms. Jani, embroiled in the dispute, clarified her stance, vehemently denying allegations of beef consumption and affirming her devotion to Hinduism.
Addressing the contentious situation in a video posted on her Instagram page, Kamiya Jani reiterated her Hindu faith and staunchly refuted any involvement in promoting or consuming beef. “My motive behind going to Jagannath was to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath and present information about the temple’s infrastructure. I am a practicing Hindu. I have never eaten beef, and don’t promote it ever,” she clarified.
Amidst the fervor sparked by her visit, Jani stressed the importance of conveying authentic facts and truths. “This one incident, in no way, will shake my pride in my country and its rich culture. I am and will always be a proud Indian,” she asserted, striving to dispel misunderstandings surrounding her visit to the revered temple.
The controversy ignited after Jani shared a video capturing Shree Jagannath’s cultural aspects, featuring former bureaucrat VK Pandian discussing the significance of ‘Mahaprasad’ and the temple’s development initiatives. The BJP, accusing the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of facilitating her entry, raised objections due to her alleged association with beef promotion on her YouTube channel, a practice that conflicts with the temple’s customs barring non-Hindus from entry.
Condemning Pandian’s actions, the Odisha unit of BJP strongly criticized the purported entry of a “beef promoter” into the sacred confines of the Jagannath Mandir, calling for severe consequences for those responsible.
Further exacerbating the situation, photos of Jani at a beef-serving restaurant surfaced, causing uproar. Jani clarified that these images were from a video filmed in Kerala, where she patronized an eatery started by truck drivers, although she personally consumed vegetarian dishes.
Expressing dismay over the misunderstanding, Jani emphasized that her coverage of local cuisines doesn’t imply personal consumption of every dish featured in her videos. She hoped her clarification would reach those hurt by the misinterpretation.
Responding to the BJP’s accusations, the BJD retaliated by highlighting instances where their party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had previously promoted Kamiya Jani’s documentary on Hindu heritage and temples.
As the controversy swirls, Kamiya Jani’s clarifications aim to dispel misconceptions surrounding her visit, affirming her commitment to her faith and devotion while addressing the contentious issues that have arisen from her involvement at the revered Jagannath Temple.
Sources By Agencies
