Akhilesh Yadav calls for restrictions on Dhirendra Shastri's entry into Uttar Pradesh
The Samajwadi Party president criticised the preacher for remarks regarding Lord Krishna and Lord Ram's father.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav criticised preacher Dhirendra Shastri on Wednesday over alleged controversial remarks regarding Lord Krishna and Lord Ram's father, according to the Hindustan Times.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister called for restrictions on Shastri's entry into the state, alleging that the preacher had hurt the religious sentiments of the 'Yaduvanshi' and 'Raghuvanshi' clans.
In a post on X, Yadav suggested that a board should be placed on the Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border to declare that those committing blasphemy would not be allowed to enter the state. He also mentioned that the Nepal border might need to be closed to prevent the preacher from entering.
The controversy arose after Shastri, during a Ram Katha in Karera in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, compared the forms of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. He stated that Ram stands straight while Krishna stands bent in three places, referring to the 'tribhanga' posture.
Shastri, the Bageshwar Dham head priest, issued an apology in a video message from Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday. He said he did not intend to draw a distinction between the two deities or insult any religious sentiments.
Seers and devotees of Lord Krishna from Mathura and Vrindavan had previously objected to the comparison, stating that both deities are equally revered.