Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple Rejects Proposal to Ban Muslim-Made Attire for Lord Krishna

The administration of the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan has dismissed a proposal seeking a ban on dresses made by Muslim weavers for Lord Krishna. The temple authorities clarified that no changes would be made to the current selection process for the deity’s attire.

The controversy began when Dinesh Falahari, the president of Shri Krishna Janmbhumi Sangharsh Nyas, submitted a memorandum to the temple administration. The memorandum, which also involved the ongoing Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura, called for a ban on offerings from non-Hindu weavers. It argued that anything made by non-Hindus could not be accepted for Lord Krishna, as it would be a “grave sin.”

Responding to the proposal, Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, a member of the temple administration, told Times of India, “We received a proposal to stop using clothes made by Muslim weavers. Our primary concern is to ensure the purity and sanctity of the clothes offered to Thakurji (Lord Krishna). If members of the Muslim community have faith in Thakurji, we have no objection to accepting clothes from them.” Goswami also mentioned that anyone is free to submit proposals, but the current process would remain unchanged.

Banke Bihari Temple, a 164-year-old institution, attracts a large number of visitors daily. According to Goswami, between 30,000 to 40,000 devotees from various backgrounds visit the temple each day. The temple administration’s stance on maintaining the existing practices comes at a time of heightened religious sensitivities in the region, particularly in light of the ongoing Shahi Idgah mosque dispute.