Bhubaneswar— A social media influencer is facing a police investigation in Odisha after a senior servitor of the Jagannath Temple in Puri filed a formal complaint accusing him of spreading misinformation and offending the sentiments of devotees.
The FIR, lodged Sunday by servitor Gourahari Pradhan, alleges that influencer Shubhankar Mishra circulated “propaganda” about the 12th-century shrine — one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimage sites — and misled young followers with baseless claims.
“For the past few days, Shubhankar 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,” Pradhan wrote in his complaint, adding that the influencer cited a so-called “curse of Maa Radha Rani” without referring to any Purana or other scriptural source.
Calling the claims “cheap publicity,” Pradhan said Mishra’s remarks were emotionally harmful and amounted to “playing with the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees.” He urged police to take strict action and warned that any attempt to “slander Mahaprabhu Jagannath will not be tolerated.”
Police Begin Evidence Collection
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh confirmed that the FIR has been registered and that a probe is underway. Investigators will collect all relevant audio and video content posted by Mishra, seek legal opinion, and consult the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration before determining next steps.
“We will verify the statements, gather digital evidence, and proceed as per law,” Singh told reporters.
The Comment That Triggered the Complaint
Mishra recently claimed on social media that couples who visit the Jagannath Temple before their wedding are later “unable to enter into wedlock,” attributing the idea to a supposed curse by Radha.
According to his version of the legend, Radha once attempted to enter the temple to see Lord Krishna in Jagannath form but was stopped by servitors. Feeling insulted, he claimed, she cursed the temple — a narrative servitors say has no basis in scripture.
The investigation is expected to examine whether Mishra’s statements violate laws related to hurting religious sentiments or spreading misinformation.
