Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple Refuses to Heed Hindutva Groups' 'Muslim Boycott' Call

New Delhi: Vrindavan's famous Banke Bihari temple has refused to heed to Hindutva groups' call to boycott Muslims who work at the temple in response to the Pahalgam attack.

Banke Bihari priest and member of the temple's administration committee, Gyanendra Kishore Goswami was quoted by Times of India as having said that the move was simply not practical and that Muslims who render their services play a major role in the temple's running.

"It is not practical. 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."

Crowns, clothing, and garlands for deities in this temple are made by Muslims. Musicians from the Muslim community play the nafiri, a traditional wind instrument, during special occasions.

In March as well, priests of the temple had rejected a proposal that called to ban buying dresses for the deity that are made by Muslim weavers. Their declaration came after Dinesh Sharma, president of the group named Shri Krishna Janambhumi Sangharsh Nyas, submitted a memorandum to the temple administration.

The TOI report finds that Hindutva groups in Mathura and Vrindavan had urged Hindu shopkeepers and pilgrims to boycott Muslims. The groups also asked Muslim shop-owners to "write proprietors' names on business establishments".

This is ostensibly in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were gunned down. Some of the terrorists are reported to have asked the victims if they were Hindu before killing them. The incident has led to communal tension in an already polarised nation.

Goswami, the priest, noted that while those responsible for Pahalgam should be punished severely, and that the temple is with the government, "but in Vrindavan, Hindus and Muslims live together in peace and harmony."

The TOI report quoted one Nikhil Aggarwal whose shop is next to one Javed Ali's near the Banke Bihari temple. Aggarwal said that the two have never had any problems and often support each other.

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