Police Complaint Filed Against Social Media Influencer for Alleged Remarks on Jagannath Temple

A controversy has erupted in Puri, Odisha, as a senior servitor of the revered 12th-century Jagannath Temple filed a police complaint against social media influencer Subhankar Mishra on Sunday, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments through controversial claims about the sacred shrine.

Gourahari Pradhan, the complainant and temple servitor, alleged that Mishra has been “trying to mislead today’s youth by spreading propaganda in the name of Lord Jagannath’s temple, the spiritual centre of crores of Odias.” The complaint specifically targets Mishra’s recent statements regarding what he termed a “curse of Maa Radha Rani” on the temple.

According to Pradhan, Mishra failed to provide any credible source or reference from authentic Hindu scriptures or Puranas to substantiate his claims, which have sparked outrage among devotees. “This is cheap publicity,” Pradhan stated in his complaint. “I strongly oppose such acts of playing with the emotions of millions of Jagannath devotees.”

Puri district Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh confirmed to reporters that authorities have accepted the FIR and initiated an investigation into the matter. “We will gather all audio and video recordings of Mishra’s statements as evidence,” Singh said, adding that the investigation would be comprehensive and would include seeking legal advice and input from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.

The controversy centers around Mishra’s alleged claim that couples who visit the Lord Jagannath temple before marriage face obstacles in getting married. Mishra reportedly narrated a story suggesting that Goddess Radha Rani once came to the temple to see Lord Krishna in the form of Jagannath but was denied entry by servitors who told her that even the Lord’s consorts were not allowed inside. According to Mishra’s account, this led to Radha Rani cursing the temple.

The Jagannath Temple in Puri holds immense significance in Hindu tradition and is one of the four major pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) for Hindus. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, the temple attracts millions of devotees annually from across India and beyond. Any controversy surrounding its traditions or history tends to evoke strong emotional responses from the faithful.

This incident highlights the growing influence of social media personalities in shaping religious narratives and the potential consequences when such narratives clash with traditional beliefs. In recent years, India has witnessed numerous cases where statements about religious institutions on social media have resulted in legal complaints and public outcry.

Religious scholars point out that spreading unverified claims about sacred institutions without proper scriptural basis can create unnecessary confusion and discord among devotees. The Jagannath Temple follows specific traditions that have been maintained for centuries, and any misrepresentation of these traditions is considered deeply offensive by the faithful.

Pradhan emphasized in his complaint that Mishra’s statements have caused him “mental and physical distress” and declared that “any attempt to spread slander in the name of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will not be tolerated.”

As the investigation proceeds, this case may set a precedent for how authorities handle disputes involving social media content related to religious institutions. It also raises important questions about the responsibility of influencers when discussing sensitive religious matters that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for millions.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, but their input will likely play a crucial role in determining the course of the investigation.