Banke Behari temple rejects calls to ban deity’s dresses made by Muslim weavers

AGRA: Authorities at Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan on Wednesday dismissed a proposal seeking a ban on dresses made by Muslim weavers for Lord Krishna. The temple administration clarified that “no changes have been made to the selection process for the deity’s dresses.”
On Tuesday, Dinesh Falahari, president of Shri Krishna Janambhumi Sangharsh Nyas — also involved in the ongoing Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura — submitted a memorandum to the temple administration stating, “If any heretic who does not follow our religion offers anything made by their hands to Thakurji (Lord Krishna), it cannot be accepted, and those who do so are committing a grave sin.”
Gyanendra Kishor Goswami, a member of the temple administration, told TOI, “We received a proposal to stop using ‘poshaks’ (attire) made by Muslim weavers. Our primary concern is to ensure purity and sanctity of the ‘poshaks’ offered to Thakurji. If members of the Muslim community have faith in Thakurji, we have no objection to accepting ‘poshaks’ from them.” Anyone is free to submit proposals, he said.
Goswami said 30,000 to 40,000 devotees from diverse backgrounds visit the 164-year-old temple daily, with the number crossing one lakh on weekends and festivals.
Meanwhile, city magistrate Rakesh Kumar told TOI, “I am not aware of the memorandum submitted by Dinesh Falahari, but I will look into the matter.”