A police complaint (FIR) has been registered at Singhadwara Police Station in Puri against popular YouTuber and social media influencer Shubhankar Mishra for allegedly distorting Jagannath culture and spreading completely baseless information.
Senior servitor of Shree Jagannath Temple, Gourahari Pradhan, lodged the complaint, alleging that Mishra recently uploaded a video claiming that if lovers visit Shree Jagannath Temple together, their relationship will break. The YouTuber reportedly narrated a fabricated story that Shri Radharani once came to Puri to have darshan of Lord Jagannath but was denied entry by the temple servitors. Hurt by the refusal, Radharani allegedly cursed the temple saying any couple who visits the shrine will see their relationship end.
Terming the entire narrative “completely false, baseless and misleading,” Pradhan said no such incident or curse is mentioned in any scripture. He accused the YouTuber of inventing stories only to gain cheap popularity, increase followers and earn more views on social media.
“Such fabricated stories mislead crores of devotees and amount to defamation of Jagannath culture,” the servitor said, demanding strict legal action against Mishra.
Puri SP Prateek Singh confirmed that the Singhadwara police have received and registered the complaint. “We are investigating the matter, and if any illegality is found, appropriate legal action will be taken,” the SP said.
District Collector Dibyajyoti Parida also reacted strongly, stating, “Spreading false information and misinformation about Jagannath culture is not acceptable. Legal action will be initiated against anyone indulging in such activities.”
Servitors have urged the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to remain vigilant and immediately file police complaints against individuals spreading fake stories about the 12th-century shrine on social media.
