LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday demanded punitive action over remarks comparing Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, alleging that such comments were aimed at undermining the unity of the Sanatan community.Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri, whose remarks triggered the controversy, has since apologised, saying he did not intend to insult any deity or hurt religious sentiments.In a video message posted on social media from Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, Shastri said he did not intend to draw any distinction between Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. He added that he humbly apologised if his remarks had hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
Akhilesh Yadav demands action over remarks on Lord Ram
Yadav, without naming Shastri, alleged that derogatory comparisons between revered Hindu deities were aimed at weakening the unity of the Sanatan community. He demanded punitive action and said the matter should be taken up at the highest level.The SP chief had earlier questioned who was behind what he described as “anti-Sanatan” remarks, referring to a series of controversies involving comments about Lord Krishna and Lord Ram.He had also called for programmes by those making such remarks to be cancelled, alleging that they could disturb social harmony.
BJP leader Sangeet Som calls Akhilesh Yadav anti-Sanatan, targets SP
BJP leader and former Meerut MLA Sangeet Som accused Akhilesh Yadav of operating behind the scenes and getting Samajwadi Party leaders to make controversial remarks against Sanatan Dharma and temples.Reacting to remarks by SP leader S T Hasan on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Som said some people were suggesting that the temple should be demolished and that this would be the last Diwali.He hit out at Yadav, saying, “Ram devotees were fired upon by you, they were beaten with batons. Today, you are talking about demolishing the temple.”Som said this would not be the last Diwali and that grand celebrations would continue in Kashi and Mathura, where grand temples would also come up.He accused Yadav of hostility towards Sanatan Dharma and Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, alleging that this was reflected in statements by SP leaders, including Hasan and Rajkumar Bhati.
Dhirendra Shastri apologises after remarks trigger backlash
The controversy erupted after a video of Shastri’s remarks during a recent Ram Katha in Karera, in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district, circulated on social media.Shastri had compared the forms of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, saying Ram stands straight while Krishna stands bent in three places. Referring to Lord Krishna’s ‘tribhanga’ posture, his flute and Vrindavan, he had also compared Ayodhya and Vrindavan.His comments drew objections from seers and devotees of Lord Krishna in Mathura and Vrindavan, who said the two deities are equally revered and that such comparisons are inappropriate.In his clarification, Shastri said his comments were made in the context of devotional traditions and the loving expressions associated with Braj.He maintained that he did not intend to insult any deity or differentiate between the two.He stated that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are manifestations of the same supreme being. Describing himself as a devotee of Lord Krishna, Shastri said he also narrates the Bhagavad Katha and has complete faith in Krishna devotion.He added that if anyone was offended by his emotional remarks, he humbly apologised.(With agency inputs)
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