Bollywood influencer Orhan ‘Orry’ Awatramani has sparked controversy after reports surfaced of him consuming alcohol during a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has led to widespread outrage on social media, with many netizens demanding a ban on him from the city.
Orry, along with seven others, has been booked for allegedly drinking at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district.
“Ban him from KATRA,” a user demanded.
A user wrote, “HOLY SHRINE AREN’T PARTY ZONES!” adding, “Bollywood’s Orry &friends drinking alcohol and asking for an egg at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, where even onion & garlic aren’t allowed!”
“Is an insult to Hindu faith!” the user said.
A user said, “They are sent to disrupt, desecrate, insult & publish so it can spread & misguide others to do the same elsewhere. For them, this is cool.”
Meanwhile, more other mentioned that the FIR was just a “negative effect of fame”.
“Unnecessary pressure to act ethically and morally right every time. Nobody would care if it was someone else, but since it’s Orry – it’s news. Same happened with Aryan Khan, and Ranveer Allahabadia,” he added.
Speaking to news agency IANS, BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia condemned the incident, stating that Orhan ‘Orry’ Awatramani and his group had “violated the law” of the sacred site.
“This is condemnable, and the more we condemn this incident, the less it is. They have violated the law, and in a sacred place like Katra, which is officially declared a holy town, consuming alcohol is unacceptable…,” he said.
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa called the group’s actions “absolutely wrong” and stated that strict action should be taken against those who disrespect the sanctity of religious places. “I believe strict action should be taken… It’s a disrespect to people’s sentiments. If Katra police have filed an FIR against them, they should make sure that they do not leave Katra until they are punished.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a statement, confirmed that an FIR was registered against the eight individuals for “violating the law of the land,” and a team was formed to apprehend them for “hurting the sentiments of people.”
According to the police, on March 15, the Katra Police Station received a complaint that some hotel guests were consuming alcohol on the premises in violation of the rules. Following this, an FIR was lodged against the accused.
“Orhan Awatramani, Darshan Singh, Parth Raina, Ritick Singh, Rashi Dutta, Rakshita Bhogal, Shagun Kohli and Anastasila Arzamaskina consumed liquor on the hotel premises despite being told that alcohol and non-vegetarian food were not allowed inside the property due to its proximity to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine,” a police officer said.
“Sensing the gravity of the matter, instructions were issued by Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Paramvir Singh to nab the miscreants and set an example of zero tolerance of any such act at a religious place which can hurt the sentiments of people,” he said.
