New Analysis: Is the Dhirendra Shastri controversy a springboard to make Lord Krishna an electoral symbol ahead of U.P. polls?

Bageshwar Dham head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. File.

This Deepavali, political rivals in Uttar Pradesh are sparring over Lord Krishna. The coordinated defence of influential religious storyteller Dhirendra Shastri by prominent seers, Bharatiya Janata Party’s spokespersons, right-wing groups/ influencers, and the silence of the Uttar Pradesh government has led political analysts to view the controversy surrounding his recent flippant remarks on Lord Krishna not as an isolated gaffe but as a catalyst to stir the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi movement before the U.P. Assembly elections with him riding a stalking horse to coalesce BJP workers and push the Yadav leadership of the Samajwadi Party (SP) on its commitment to their presiding deity. A poster has already appeared at BJP State Headquarters in Lucknow proclaiming, “Jo Ram Ko Layen Hain Woh 27 Main Krishna Ko Layenge [Those who brought Ram, will now bring Krishna in 2027],” showing PM Narendra Modi dressed as Ram and U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as Krishna.

In a reference to Lord Krishna’s traditional tribhanga (three-bend) dancing posture, Mr. Shastri, 30, at a Ram Katha event on October 29 in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, said, “Those who follow Krishna might feel bad, but Krishna is very crooked (tedha). Even when he stands, he is bent at three places.” In the viral reels from the event, he contrasted this by saying Lord Ram always stands perfectly straight. He also questioned the significance of Krishna’s flute-playing and how it’s less worthy than Ram’s bow and arrow.

Uttar Pradesh / Samajwadi Party / Bharatiya Janata Party