AGRA: Vrindavan‘s famous Banke Bihari temple – one of UP and India’s most visited pilgrimage sites – has dismissed suggestions from right wing groups protesting the Pahalgam terror attack that Muslims rendering services to the iconic mandir be boycotted.
The demand came after protesters in Mathura and Vrindavan urged Hindu shopkeepers and pilgrims “not to trade with the minority community”. The groups also asked Muslim shop owners to “write proprietors’ names on business establishments”.
‘In Vrindavan, both communities live together in peace and harmony’
Nagendra Maharaj, a member of Kashi Vidvat Parishad, an organisation that has demanded the de-linking of Muslims from Banke Bihari affairs, said they have identified shops run by them. “We’ve asked them to write their names on shops, and Hindu shopkeepers to avoid working with them and not to employ people from that community,” he added.
Responding to the call, Banke Bihari priest and member of the temple’s administration committee, Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, said on Monday: “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.”
He told TOI: “Also, in Vrindavan, some of the crowns and bangles for the deity are made by them (Muslims).” Most of the priests and locals were in agreement with what Goswami said.
Goswami added: “Yes, those terrorists (in Pahalgam) should be punished severely and we’re totally with govt. But in Vrindavan, Hindus and Muslims live together in peace and harmony.”
Not far from the temple, Javed Ali, who runs a shop under the name ‘Star Mukut’, and was told to comply or move out, said the priests’ stand has given them much needed succour. “They (the protesters) came to my shop and asked us to put the name of the proprietor on the signboard. I’ve been running this shop for over 20 years. My father worked here as a tailor. Whenever a customer buys things from here, I usually give them a bill receipt with my name and mobile number printed on it. We’ve got nothing to hide,” Ali said.
Nikhil Aggarwal, whose shop is next to Ali’s, added that they’ve never had any problem over the years and often support each other.
Police said they were yet to receive a formal complaint in this matter.
