Banke Bihari Temple Rejects Hindutva Group’s Islamophobic Demand

Priests at the famous Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India, have rejected a demand to stop using garments made by Muslim artisans, emphasizing that religious discrimination has no place in temple traditions, The Siasat Daily reported.

The demand was raised by Dinesh Sharma, a leader of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Sangharsh Nyas, who urged that only artisans adhering to “religious purity” should craft the deity’s attire.

Temple priest Gyanendra Kishore Goswami stated, “It is simply not practical. We do not discriminate against any community.” He noted that around 80% of skilled artisans making the deity’s garments, crowns, and intricate zardozi work are Muslims.

Goswami cited historical examples, arguing that artisans should not be judged based on their religion. He highlighted that the Mughal emperor Akbar once gifted perfume for Lord Krishna’s worship to the revered saint Swami Haridas.

Temple administrator Umesh Saraswat distanced himself from the issue, stating that decisions regarding the deity’s attire and rituals lie solely with the priestly lineage.