New Delhi: In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, some right-wing groups asked Vrindavan’s famed Banke Bihari temple to boycott Muslim workers providing services to the shrine. However, the Banke Bihari temple has turned down all such calls.
Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, Banke Bihari priest and member of the temple’s administration committee, was quoted as saying by Times of India that it was not practical. He pointed out that Muslims, specifically artisans and weavers, have deep-rooted contributions in the temple. They have played a key role in weaving Banke Bihari’s garments for decades, with many having a strong belief in Banke Bihari and regularly visit the temple themselves, he pointed out.
In Mathura and Vrindavan, right-wing groups protesting the Pahalgam attack had also asked Hindu shopkeepers and pilgrims “not to trade with the minority community”. The groups also told Muslim shop owners to “write proprietors’ names on business establishments”.
‘Terrorists should be punished severely’
Goswami added that in Vrindavan, some of the intricate crowns and bangles for the deity are made by Muslims. “Those terrorists (in Pahalgam) should be punished severely and we are totally with the government. But in Vrindavan, Hindus and Muslims live together in peace and harmony,” he said. A majority of the priests and locals echoed Goswami.
Protesters told a Muslim man, who runs a shop under the name ‘Star Mukut’, to mention the name of the proprietor on the signboard or move out. He said Goswami’s stance has provided them relief.
A month back too, authorities at the Banke Bihari temple had rejected a proposal calling for a ban on dresses crafted by Muslim weavers for Lord Krishna. The temple administration had then said that there were “no changes to the selection process for the deity’s attire”.
Even then Goswami had pointed out that their primary concern was to ensure purity and sanctity of the ‘poshaks’ offered to Thakurji. He had said that if the Muslim community members have faith in the deity, the temple had no objection to accepting ‘poshaks’ from them”.
