Mathura: Priests at the famed Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan have rejected a demand to stop using attires made by Muslim artisans for its deity, emphasising that religious discrimination has no place in temple traditions.
Dinesh Sharma, a leader of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Sangharsh Nyas, raised the demand urging the temple to avoid using the services of Muslim artisans and ensure that Lord Krishna's attires are crafted only by those who adhere to "religious purity."
The deity's attire should not be made by those who "consume meat and do not respect Hindu traditions or cow protection”, he argued in a letter to temple priests.
The letter also warned that if the demand was ignored, the organisation would launch a protest.
"It is simply not practical. Moreover, we do not discriminate against any community. Devotees who offer attires for the deity ensure purity themselves before getting them made," temple priest Gyanendra Kishore Goswami said, rejecting the demand.
Goswami argued that judging artisans by their religion is unfair, citing examples from Hindu scriptures. He pointed out that even within the same family, individuals of vastly different moral character can be found, such as Kansa, the sinful uncle of Lord Krishna, and Prahlad, the devout son of the demon Hiranyakashipu. 'How can we discriminate against artisans based on their faith?' Goswami questioned.
Priests highlighted Muslim artisans' deep-rooted contributions to temple traditions, citing examples of intricate crowns and dresses in Vrindavan and sacred Rudraksha garlands in Kashi.
Goswami cited a historic example, recalling how Mughal emperor Akbar had once presented Swami Haridas, a revered saint linked to the temple, with a fragrant perfume as an offering for Lord Krishna's worship.
"Even today, musicians from the Muslim community play the ‘nafiri' (a traditional wind instrument) during special occasions,” he added.
"A temple priest, who wished to remain anonymous, dismissed the proposal as 'impractical,' revealing that approximately 80% of skilled artisans creating the deity's attire, crowns, and intricate zardozi work are Muslims. 'Muslim artisans not only craft the deity's attire but also the temple's iron railings, grills, and other structures,' he pointed out. 'How can we possibly verify the personal purity of every single artisan?'
The priest also highlighted the logistical nightmare of replacing Muslim artisans, noting that Lord Krishna requires around 12 outfits daily, translating to thousands of intricate garments annually.
"Other communities simply do not have the same level of expertise in crafting these attires,” he pointed out.
Temple administrator Umesh Saraswat sidestepped the controversy, saying decisions on deity attire and rituals are the exclusive domain of the priestly lineage. 'Our role is confined to managing the temple premises and logistics,' he clarified.
(inputs from PTI)