Bageshwar Dham head priest Dhirendra Shastri apologized after his recent comments on Lord Krishna sparked a widespread controversy across the country.
Shastri released a video message on social media from Nairobi on Monday to clarify his stance on the matter.
He stated that he never intended to insult any deity or draw distinctions between Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
The head priest expressed regret and offered an apology if his remarks had hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
The controversy erupted after Shastri made comparative remarks during a recent Ram Katha event in Shivpuri district.
He described Lord Ram as standing straight, whereas he characterized Lord Krishna as bent in three places.
Shastri also compared Ayodhya and Vrindavan while making references to Lord Krishna’s famous flute and his traditional posture.
Seers and Krishna devotees from Mathura and Vrindavan strongly protested after video footage of the sermon circulated widely online.
They firmly emphasized that both deities are equally revered and called any comparison between them inappropriate.
Shastri later explained that his comments merely reflected the devotional tradition and expressions of the Braj region.
He emphasized that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are both manifestations of the same supreme divine entity.
Describing himself as a Krishna devotee, Shastri highlighted that he regularly narrates the Bhagavad Katha to believers.
Meanwhile, political leaders also reacted strongly to the ongoing debate surrounding Shastri’s controversial public remarks.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned such derogatory comparisons, stating they undermine the unity of the community.
Yadav called for strict punitive action against individuals who attempt to divide society through provocative speeches.
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