Dhirendra Krishna Shastri is going to do Ram Katha in Kunda of Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Controversy has started even before this story, which will be held from 17th to 20th November. Yaduvanshi seems to be angry with him even before the story. While narrating the story in Karaira in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, he made such a comparison between Ram and Krishna, which has now become a noose around his neck. Yadavs are opposing him from UP to Madhya Pradesh.
On October 29, he described Lord Krishna as crooked in the story of Karaira, after which the Yadav community is angry with him. National President of Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav is repeatedly saying that such storytellers who are dividing God should be boycotted. He has accused Dhirendra Shastri of blasphemy. Samajwadi Party workers have filed a complaint at Hazratganj police station and demanded an FIR.
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Why is SP accusing Bageshwar Dham of blasphemy?
Akhilesh Yadav says that Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has hurt the sentiments of both Yaduvanshis and Raghuvanshis. He wrote that Shastri would neither be allowed to come to Braj nor to Awadh. They should be boycotted. On one hand, Akhilesh Yadav has given a clear message to his supporters that they should not let the story of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri happen, on the other hand he is going to narrate Ram Katha in Pratapgarh from November 17. SP leaders are also protesting there at the local level. This Katha is being organized by Kunda MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaija.
What did Dhirendra Shastri say?
Dhirendra Shastri had compared Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. He had said, 'Look at a picture of Thakur ji, even while standing, he is crooked at three places. Sometimes he plays the flute with one foot on the other, sometimes bending his waist and craning his neck. He said that our Ramji is straight.
The people of Braj and the saints had not expressed any objection to the statements of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. He said that such symbols have been used in the story before also. People worship God as a friend and they have the right to say so.
What does Akhilesh Yadav want?
Akhilesh wrote that now neither any true Raghuvanshi nor any true Yaduvanshi will welcome Shastri. He talked about installing a board on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It should be written on it that those who commit blasphemy are prohibited from entering the religious land of Uttar Pradesh.
What are SP's preparations against Dhirendra Krishna?
State Secretary of Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade, Pravesh Yadav has given a written complaint against Shastri and demanded strict action. He alleges that Dhirendra Shastri made objectionable comments on Lord Krishna's Tribhangi posture, name and the way of playing the flute. He also alleged that Shastri compared Krishna with Ram and used inappropriate language.
Samajwadi workers allege that this comment hurt the religious sentiments of crores of devotees. Pravesh Yadav said that Lord Krishna's personality should not be made fun of and he should not be compared with anyone. According to him, Krishna is a symbol of love, compassion, justice, good values, courage and protection of religion.
Pravesh Yadav said that both Ram and Krishna are highly respected in Sanatan Dharma. Each one has its own significance, divine stories and teachings. He said that it is wrong to insult another god to make one deity bigger. The activists demanded that the police take the matter seriously, register an FIR and initiate legal action against Shastri. FIR has not been registered yet.
Why is Samajwadi Party doing this?
An official of the Samajwadi Party, on the condition of anonymity, said that before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections of 2027, Akhilesh Yadav is using this issue to handle his core vote bank. With this stance of Akhilesh Yadav, two equations are being solved.
The first equation is that Dhirendra Krishna Shastri demands Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra. He supports Bharatiya Janata Party. Many have given controversial statements due to which Muslim leaders are uncomfortable. This equation of Akhilesh Yadav is also being resolved due to the boycott of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.
The second equation is to unite the Yadav community. He calls himself a Yaduvanshi and wants to associate himself with devotion to Krishna. He is also trying to challenge BJP's Hindutva campaign. They allege that the faith of the Yaduvanshis is being hurt by the statements of storytellers associated with power. Even before this he had raised the issue of fees of storytellers and caste discrimination. Samajwadi Party is linking it with OBC identity and social respect.
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What is the demand of Yadav Mahasabha?
Yadav Mahasabha and Krishna devotee organizations clearly say that Lord Krishna is the center of faith of crores of people. His indecent remarks will not be tolerated. Their main demand is to register FIR and take strict legal action. They want to send the message that the Yadav community is united and their religious sentiments cannot be taken lightly.
What can happen if Akhilesh's move works?
The population of Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh is about 17 to 20 percent. The population of OBC category is about 55 percent, of which 19 to 20 percent are Yadavs. The total population in the state is considered to be between 5 percent and 8.5 percent. There are about 15 Lok Sabha seats and about 91 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh where Yadav and Muslim voters play a decisive or effective role. If this equation is correct then Akhilesh can become stronger on these seats.
What is the stand of Dhirendra Shastri and Hindu organizations?
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has been talking about rising above casteism and creating a Hindu nation for a long time. His supporters want to prevent the issue from becoming a Brahmin versus Yadav or Ram versus Krishna conflict. Shastri clearly said that both Ram and Krishna are integral parts of the Sanatan tradition. On the other hand, some Hindutva organizations have hit back at Akhilesh Yadav. He alleges that the Samajwadi Party does selective politics on religious matters. These organizations hope that this issue may polarize Hindu votes against the opposition.