Puri: Author and the director of Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), Arindam Chaudhuri, has triggered a controversy by mocking Hind deities including Lord Jagannath in a recent social media post.
The incident has invited sharp reactions from devotees and Srimandir servitors. The servitors and devotees condemned Chaudhuri for mocking Lord Jagannath and sought an apology from the latter.
In a Facebook post, Chaudhuri claimed that the novel coronavirus cannot be checked through prayer to the deities. He advised people to read his book to keep them happy. Chaudhuri also posted a photo where a doctor examines the health of Lord Jagannath.
Chaudhuri further wrote that several priests at Tirupati Balaji temple tested positive for Covid-19 recently.
“We condemn the social media post of Chaudhuri on Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath is the master of the whole universe. Chaudhuri has hurt Hindu sentiments and Jagannath culture through his social media post. He should tender an apology before the Lord,” said senior servitor Binayak Das Mahapatra.
Devotee Saroj Kumar Behera too condemned Chaudhuri for mocking Lord Jagannath. “Chaudhuri should learn details regarding Jagannath culture. A good author never hurts the religious sentiments of people. Chaudhuri should apologise for the incident,” Behera said.