New Analysis: Is Dhirendra Shastri Controversy Springboard to Make Lord Krishna Election Symbol Ahead of UP Polls?

Bageshwar Dham head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. File. | Photo credit: PTI

This Deepavali, political rivals in Uttar Pradesh are sparring over Lord Krishna. The coordinated defense of influential religious storyteller Dhirendra Shastri by prominent seers, Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons, right-wing groups/influencers and the silence of the Uttar Pradesh government has led political analysts to view the controversy surrounding his recent offensive remarks about Lord Krishna not as an isolated Jana Shrabhosti Krishna movement, but as a catalyst. before the UP Assembly elections, he rode with him on a stalking horse to unite BJP workers and suppress the Yadav leadership of the Samajwadi Party (SP) to his commitment to their presiding deity. A poster has already appeared at the BJP’s state headquarters in Lucknow, which reads, “Jo Ram Ko Layen Hain Woh 27 Main Krishna Ko Layenge (Those who brought Ram will now bring Krishna in 2027), showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi dressed as Ram and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as Krishna.”

Referring to Lord Krishna’s traditional tribhanga (three bows) dance position, Mr Shastri, 30, said at a Ram Katha event on October 29 in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh: “Those who follow Krishna may feel bad, but Krishna is very crooked (tedha). Even though he stands in three places, he is unyielding.” In viral reels from the event, he contrasted this by saying that Lord Ram always stands perfectly straight. He also questioned the significance of Krishna’s flute playing and how it was less valuable than Rama’s bow and arrow.

Published – November 7, 2026 12:51 PM IST