Robin Bhuyan

Jaya Kishori, a well-known spiritual preacher and Youtuber, who identifies herself as a devotee of Sri Krishna, is known for inspiring millions with her spiritual discourses and devotional songs.

Few weeks back, Jaya landed in a big controversy after being seen carrying a Christian Dior handbag worth ₹2 lakh. Critics quickly took to social media to question the how appropriate is it for a spiritual figure owning such a luxury and extravagant item, not just because it is unncesssary, but because the Christian Dior brand is known to manufacture leather-made bags, which, needless to say, is contradictory of Jaya’s claim of being a Krishna devotee who worships Gau Mata (mother cow).

After receiving huge backlash from the public, Jaya Kishori defended her choice by explaining that the bag was custom-made and entirely leather-free. She clarified that she is against the use of leather products, being a devotee of Sri Krishna. She also tried to emphasize that she has never renounced worldly possessions and portrayed herself as a “normal girl” who balances spirituality with material living. Kishori further argued that spirituality does not demand a rejection of material goods, and even gave the example of Arjuna, saying that Sri Krishna gave the Bhagavad Gita to a man who was going to become a King and live a worldly life.

Despite her explanation, the debate continued to rage on the internet, with many critics and Youtubers raising questions about her choices, and her defences. Is Jaya Kishori’s stance really justified?

Here, we shall look at five key points that summarize the main issues in this controversy:

Dior’s Leather Policy vs. Jaya Kishori’s Claims

Jaya Kishori asserted that her Dior handbag was customized to exclude leather. However, critics pointed out that Dior, a luxury brand known for its premium leather goods, does not offer leather-free customization options for their products; at least not publicly. This has cast doubt on her claims, leading public to speculate that the bag may not be as ethically sourced as she had claimed, in her defense. The lack of clarity regarding Dior’s customization options and Jaya Kishori’s assurance has made this one of the most focal points of the controversy.

Ethical Consistency and Brand Support

For someone who identifies as a Krishna devotee and upholds values tied to compassion and non-violence towards living beings, owning a product from a brand heavily associated with the leather industry seems contradictory, doesn’t it? This can be likened to an animal rights activist eating at a KFC fast-food chain daily, even if they choose vegetarian options.

While Kishori has clarified that owning material possessions is not inherently wrong, why would she associate with a brand that contributes to the killing and suffering of animals in the first place. This has raised larger questions about how some spiritual leaders avoid practicing what they are preaching.

Public Expectations of Spiritual Figures

One of the central reasons this controversy gained traction is the public’s perception of how spiritual figures should live. Many expect spiritual leaders like Jaya Kishori to adhere to a modest lifestyle- a lifestyle that doesn’t contradict their teachings of detachment and simplicity. The sight of a luxury handbag worth 2 lakhs, even if ethically sourced, clashes with most of her teachings and creates a perceived disconnect between her words and actions. It is to be remembered that there is and should be a difference between a regular motivational speaker or influencer or someone who gives devotional sermons and speeches.

Materialism vs. Spirituality Debate

In her defense, Jaya Kishori has also claimed that spirituality does not necessitate renouncing all material comforts. She maintains that it is possible to live a balanced life where possessions serve functional purposes without compromising spiritual growth. However, critics have noted that this bag is not the only “expensive possession” owned by her. The price of her car Mercedes-Benz’s G63 AMG has been told to be around Rs 4.5 crore, which has shocked even many of her fans.

Several Youtubers have even pointed out that Jaya charges around 10 lakhs for providing spiritual discourse at any event.

Now, due to the rise of what social media is calling “Instagram Babas”, the line between spiritual freedom and material indulgence is becoming increasingly blurred.

Jaya Kishori’s Public Image and History with Reality Shows

Many might still want to believe that Jaya Kishori might be a genuine spiritual guru. But several people have pointed out that Jaya Kishori’s career has always been intertwined with public platforms. As a child, she participated in the Indian dance reality show Boogie Woogie, which brought her early exposure to media and performance culture​. As many critics pointed out, this shows that Jaya has been looking for publicity and exposure ever since her childhood.

Furthermore, her active use of social media and diversification into motivational speaking and singing has been perceived by many as leaning more towards maintaining and earning more and more fame than upholding spiritual values.

As a public figure, Jaya Kishori’s choices carry symbolic weight. While she has explained her stance, the backlash reflects a growing trend of holding influential personalities accountable for the consistency between their values and actions. Whether the controversy dies down or prompts a deeper introspection into the expectations placed on spiritual leaders remains to be seen. Regardless, it is good to see many people have started asking questions about the “Instagram Babas” instead of just following people blindly.

This controversy is not just about a handbag; it shows how many people claim to be devotional and spiritual teachers, but they can’t even get rid of their desire for modern consumerism, even if their actions fully contradict their words.