New Delhi: Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri has apologised over his remarks comparing Lord Ram and Lord Krishna after they triggered objections from seers and devotees in Mathura and Vrindavan. He said he had no intention of insulting any deity or creating a distinction between the two.
In a video message shared on social media from Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, Shastri said his comments were made in the context of devotional traditions and the affectionate expressions associated with Braj. He added that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are manifestations of the same supreme being.
What Did Dhirendra Shastri Say About Lord Krishna?
The controversy began during a recent Ram Katha in Karera, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district. While speaking about the forms of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, Shastri said Ram stands straight, whereas Krishna stands bent at three places.
He referred to Lord Krishna’s tribhanga posture, his flute and Vrindavan, while also drawing a comparison between Ayodhya and Vrindavan.
A video of the remarks subsequently circulated on social media, prompting objections from seers and Krishna devotees in Mathura and Vrindavan. They argued that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are equally revered and that comparing the two was inappropriate.
Shastri Says He Did Not Intend To Hurt Religious Sentiments
Responding to the criticism, Shastri said he was himself a devotee of Lord Krishna and also narrates the Bhagavad Katha. He reiterated that he has complete faith in Krishna devotion and did not intend to show disrespect towards either deity.
He said that if his emotional remarks had hurt anyone’s religious sentiments, he offered a humble apology.
What Did Akhilesh Yadav Say?
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also weighed in on the controversy on Monday, although he did not name Shastri directly.
Yadav alleged that derogatory comparisons between revered Hindu deities were an attempt to undermine the unity of the Sanatan community. He called for punitive action and said the matter should be taken up at the highest level.
