Varanasi Erupts: Protests Against Dhirendra Shastri Over Lord Krishna Remarks
Protests erupt in Varanasi as Dhirendra Shastri faces backlash over comments on Lord Krishna. Read about the outcry and his apology from Kenya.
The spiritual heart of India, Varanasi, witnessed a wave of intense anger as protests erupted against the preacher Dhirendra Shastri. The unrest follows controversial remarks made by Shastri regarding Lord Krishna, which have sparked widespread indignation among devotees and political leaders alike.
Fury on the Streets of Varanasi
The district headquarters in Varanasi became the epicenter of the demonstration, where local advocates and leaders from the Samajwadi Party gathered in large numbers. The atmosphere was charged with hostility as protesters brandished posters calling for a boycott of the preacher.
In a visceral display of anger, demonstrators were seen striking posters of Dhirendra Shastri with shoes and slippers before eventually setting the images on fire. The protesters chanted slogans, demanding accountability for what they termed as an insult to one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.
The Root of the Controversy
The spark for this outrage was a 'Ram Katha' held in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. During the discourse, Dhirendra Shastri made comparisons between the physical appearance, demeanor, and conduct of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
Specifically, his comments concerning the 'Tribhang' (the three-fold bending posture) and the flute-playing of Lord Krishna were viewed by many as derogatory rather than devotional. Devotees felt that these observations demeaned the divine nature of Lord Krishna, leading to a rapid escalation of tension across various regions.
Political Backlash and Legal Demands
The controversy quickly drew the attention of high-profile political figures. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, while in Varanasi, publicly condemned the remarks. Yadav alleged that such statements are a calculated attempt to fracture the unity of the Sanatan society.
The protests were not limited to the district headquarters. At the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus, activists from the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha also staged a demonstration, which included the burning of an effigy of the preacher.
Seeking legal recourse, the demonstrators have formally petitioned the Police Commissioner of Varanasi. They have demanded that a criminal case be registered against Dhirendra Shastri, asserting that his words have deeply wounded the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.
The Apology from Nairobi
As the situation spiraled in India, Dhirendra Shastri responded via a video message on Monday, November 2, 2026, while he was in Nairobi, Kenya.
In the video, Shastri offered an apology to those offended by his words. He clarified that he never intended to demean either Lord Ram or Lord Krishna, nor did he wish to create a divide between the two. He explained that his comments were meant to be understood strictly within the context of the Braj devotional tradition.