Angry over Kamiya Jani’s entry in Jagannath temple, BJP demands action under IPC sections

‘I don’t and have never eaten beef,’ clarifies Kamiya

By C. R. Beura

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: Controversy over the video of social media influencer Kamiya Jani talking to bureaucrat-turned- Biju Janata Dal leader V Karthikeyan Pandian on Srimandir temple premises in Puri intensified on Thursday with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioning how the girl was granted access to shrine despite her “anti-Hindu” food practice.

The saffron party questioned, “How a promoter of beef consumption (referring to Jani) was granted access to the shrine in Puri.”

BJP state general secretary Dr Jatin Mohanty, while addressing a press meet here, said the incident had hurt the religious sentiment of crores of Hindus. The party further alleged that video on the premises of Srimandir has been taken and broadcasted on media which is not acceptable.

The BJP demanded that a case should be registered against Pandian and Jani by the Srimandir Temple Administration under Section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and both of them should be arrested immediately.

“Social media influencer Kamiya Jani is a promoter of beef consumption. As per the law of Srimandir, no beef-eater can enter the temple without ‘prayaschita’ (penance). VK Pandian has made a crime by facilitating the entry of Kamiya into the temple. The incident has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus and devotees of Lord Jagannath,” said Odisha BJP general secretary Jatin Mohanty.

 “We demand that the government should take immediate action against V Karthikeyan Pandian and Kamiya Jani. The temple administration should also seek an apology before the people of Odisha for allowing the incident to happen. As per the rituals of Srimandir, the temple should be sanctified after due consultation with Puri Shankaracharya and all the priests. Otherwise, BJP will move to court seeking justice in this regard,” said Mohanty.

Responding to the controversy, Kamiya stated on her social media account that she has never taken beef.

“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,” wrote Kamiya on her Facebook account.

Jagannath Temple office said, “Since Pandian and Kamiya had not taken Prasad in temple premises, there was no role of the temple administration in this matter.”

There were no reactions from VK Pandian.