Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has sparked controversy after comparing Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, describing the latter as “crooked” in his posture and questioning the significance of his flute playing during a religious discourse in Madhya Pradesh.
“Your Thakurji seems to be looking around in every photo. Even when he stands, he is crooked in three places. His feet are crossed, his waist is bent somewhere, and then, with his neck bent, he plays the flute,” Shastri said during a Ram Katha in Karera, Shivpuri district.
Contrasting Krishna with Lord Ram, he said, “Ours stands absolutely straight. His name is straight, he looks straight and walks straight. Yours is crooked, he looks crooked and walks crooked.”
He also questioned the significance of Krishna’s flute playing, saying, “Playing the flute is a sport, but using the bow is no sport. The flute played by your Thakurji is no big deal. There’s a man on stage playing the flute as well.”
A video of the remarks has since circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from religious leaders in Mathura and Ayodhya, who said the comparison was inappropriate and could hurt devotees’ sentiments. They argued that both deities are manifestations of the same divine entity and should not be placed in opposition to each other.
Shastri Clarifies, Apologises
Responding to the criticism, Shastri said his remarks were made in jest and had been interpreted incorrectly. He apologised if his words had hurt devotees.
“Sometimes, in jest, we end up saying anything. Please do not distort the meaning. We make mistakes at times and speak in the heat of the moment,” he said.
He added that his comments were made out of affection for Krishna.
“Lord Krishna is very dear to us. People do not know why they misunderstand my words. They have started saying that we are against Krishna,” he said.
Shastri maintained that he had no intention of creating differences between Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, adding that Krishna’s name was part of his own name and that he considered himself a devotee of the deity and part of the Braj tradition.
“We did not try to divide society or create a distinction between the gods. Why would we divide God?” he said.
Akhilesh Yadav Demands Action
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday demanded punitive action over the remarks, calling them objectionable and urging that the matter be taken up at the highest level.
Without naming Shastri directly, Yadav questioned the rationale behind comparing the two deities in a manner that appeared to place one above the other.
He warned that such statements could create discord and resentment in society, and said that insulting any religion, faith, sect or its revered figures was unacceptable.
Yadav also urged those claiming to represent Sanatan traditions to speak out against the remarks.
