Clarifying the Controversy: Blogger Kamiya Jani Sets the Record Straight on Jagannath Temple Visit

Social media influencer and founder of Curly Tales, Kamiya Jani, has taken to social media to address the recent controversy surrounding her visit to Odisha’s Shree Jagannath Temple. The Bharatiya Janata Party raised concerns about her alleged promotion of beef consumption, leading to questions about her entry into the sacred shrine, which typically restricts access to non-Hindus.

In a video posted on her Instagram profile, Kamiya Jani clarified her position, emphasizing that she is a practicing Hindu who has never consumed beef. She explained that her primary purpose in visiting the Puri temple was to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath and highlight the temple’s infrastructural development.

Expressing regret that her visit had become a focal point of controversy, Kamiya asserted that she had not violated any temple rules. To counter the allegations, she shared a video from Kerala, the source of the controversy, where screenshots were used to suggest her promotion of beef. Kamiya clarified, “Neither have I eaten beef nor do I promote it. As a food blogger, I share information about local cuisines from various places.”

Addressing the specific Kerala video, she explained, “I had Kadala curry, which is a black chana curry, appam, and pazham pori because I don’t eat beef.” Kamiya emphasized that her content showcases local cuisines from different places but does not imply personal consumption of all mentioned foods.

This clarification follows an earlier statement where Kamiya mentioned her visits to various Jyotirlingas and char dhams across India, citing her Indian identity. Responding to an article in a newspaper about her temple visit, she reiterated that she has never consumed beef. The controversy highlights the challenges faced by influencers as they navigate cultural and religious sensitivities in their content creation.