Mathura: The renowned Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has dismissed a demand from a Hindutva group to cease using attires made by Muslim artisans for its deity. The demand, raised by Dinesh Sharma of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Sangharsh Nyas, insisted that Lord Krishna’s clothes should only be crafted by individuals who follow “religious purity” and do not consume meat. In response, temple priest Gyanendra Kishore Goswami firmly rejected the idea, stating that artisans cannot be judged based on their religion and emphasizing that temple traditions do not promote discrimination. He cited historical examples, including Mughal emperor Akbar’s offering to the temple, to highlight the long-standing inclusivity of Hindu religious practices.

The rejection comes amid a long history of Muslim artisans contributing to temple attire and decorations across India. According to temple priests, around 80 percent of the skilled workers creating intricate zardozi work, deity crowns, and attires are Muslims. A temple priest, speaking anonymously, pointed out that excluding Muslim artisans is not practical since Lord Krishna requires multiple outfits daily, and replacing them would be a massive challenge. Additionally, these artisans are also responsible for making temple iron railings, grills, and other structures. The temple administration distanced itself from the controversy, with administrator Umesh Saraswat clarifying that decisions regarding deity attires and rituals rest solely with the priestly lineage, not management authorities.

The incident underscores the deep-rooted craftsmanship of Muslim artisans in Hindu temple traditions. Similar examples exist in Kashi, where Rudraksha garlands sacred to Lord Shiva are crafted by Muslim families, and in Vrindavan, where musicians from the Muslim community continue to play traditional instruments during temple events. Temple priests reiterated that religious devotion transcends caste and faith, citing Hindu mythology where virtuous and sinful individuals coexisted in the same lineage. As tensions rise over religious divides, the Banke Bihari temple’s stand reflects a commitment to preserving centuries-old traditions of artistic excellence and interfaith harmony.