Amid rising communal tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has firmly rejected demands from right-wing groups to boycott Muslim artisans and shopkeepers associated with the shrine.
Speaking to The Times of India on Monday, Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, a priest and member of the temple’s administrative committee, dismissed the boycott call as “impractical and unnecessary.”
“Muslims, particularly artisans and weavers, have deep-rooted contributions here. They’ve played a major role in weaving the dresses of Banke Bihari for decades. Many of them have a strong belief in Banke Bihari and visit the temple too,” Goswami said.
Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, some groups in Mathura and Vrindavan had urged Hindu shopkeepers and pilgrims to stop trading with Muslims. They also demanded that Muslim shopkeepers display their names prominently on signboards, effectively singling them out.
But Goswami highlighted the long-standing harmony between communities in Vrindavan.
“In Vrindavan, some of the intricate crowns and bangles for the deity are made by them. Yes, those terrorists should be punished severely and we’re totally with the government. But in Vrindavan, Hindus and Muslims live together in peace and harmony,” he added.
Outside the temple, Muslim shopkeepers expressed relief at the temple’s stand.
Javed Ali, who runs a shop called Star Mukut, said, “They came to my shop and asked us to put the name of the proprietor on the signboard. I’ve been running this shop for over 20 years. My father worked here as a tailor. We have nothing to hide. With the blessings of Banke Bihari, this place is always peaceful.”
Nikhil Aggarwal, who owns a neighboring shop, added that the communities have always supported each other and never faced problems.
Police said no formal complaints had been received yet regarding the threats or intimidation.
