Kamiya Jani Beef Eating Controversy: Political Warfare between BJD and BJP in Odisha after Curly Tales Star’s Jagannath Temple Video Goes Viral

A few days ago, Kamiya Jani aka face of Curly Tales’s Shri Jagannath Puri Trip was hosted by the 5T man of Odisha, VK Pandian. Kamiya Jani is a renowned Social media influencer and VK Pandian is a close aide of Odisha’s chief minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik. The trip has caused an uproar in the society where the opposite BJP and ruling BJD are in a strict war of words.

Jani whose channel is Curly Tales made a video depicting the cultural heritage of one of the char dams of India, Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri. She highlighted the cultural and religious heritage of the temple, letting the people know some unheard facts about the temple, the lord, and the surrounding places that are to be developed so that a 75-meter parikrama yatra can be facilitated. VK Pandian expressed a lot of things to Jani beautifully.

However, as the video spread, the saffron party BJP backfired. They raised questions on how Jani, a “beefeater” was given accessibility to the sacred Puri Lord Jagannath Temple. Throughout the video, VK Pandian, the bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader spoke about many things including the significance of ‘Mahaprasad’ and how the accessibility to the temple can be eased with the development of the ongoing heritage corridor project which will be completed by January 2024. The entry of non-Hindu entities is prohibited into the Puri Jagannath temple. Thus, the BJP raised allegations as to how Jani, a promoter of beef consumption was given access to the temple.

Responses by Individuals For Clarification On Kamiya Jani

As the controversy escalated, Kamiya Jani responded on her Instagram account and stated, “As an Indian, my mission is to take Indian culture and heritage to the world. I have been visiting all the jyotirlingas and char dhams of India and what a privilege it’s been. Woke up to this strange article in the newspaper questioning my visit to Jagannath temple. Not that anyone has reached out to me but just here to clarify that I don’t and have never eaten Beef. Jai Jagannath.”

According to the SJTA or the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, no truth or evidence could be found yet regarding the prevailing allegations against Jani. It said, “The allegation made by a certain political party about a YouTube influencer taking a camera to the temple premises is completely baseless. There is no truth in this. If anyone has any evidence, if they present it, it will be investigated and necessary action will be taken.”

BJP’s Allegations Against BJD

Jatin Mohanty, the general secretary of Odisha BJP said during a press conference that the incident has harmed the religious sentiment of Hindus. He alleged that, despite a ban by the SJTA, a video camera was used on the premises of the Temple. He demanded SJTA to register a case against Jani and Pandian for hurting the religious sentiment of people under IPC Section 295A.

He added, “Social media influencer Kamiya Jani is a promoter of beef consumption. As per the law of Srimandir, no beef-eater could enter the temple without prayaschita (penance). Pandian has facilitated the entry of Jani into the temple. The incident has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus and devotees of Lord Jagannath.”

BJD replied to the BJP as Pandian was didn’t comment on this. As per BJD, BJP’s accusations and allegations are baseless and intolerant. The Conch party also clarified that Jani took Mahaprasad outside the temple at Radha Ballav Mutt and added, “Camera was not allowed inside the temple premises,” Let Lord Jagannath bless the BJP leaders to overcome their narrow mindset.”

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