A criminal defamation complaint has been formally registered against the head priest of Bageshwar Dham, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, in an Agra court. The legal action follows widespread backlash regarding controversial remarks made by the preacher during a religious discourse held in Karera, located in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. The petition was submitted to the court of Civil Judge Kanchan Kumar by advocate Ajay Pratap Singh, who maintains that he is a direct maternal descendant of Lord Krishna.
The controversy centers on a video recording of the event that gained significant traction across social media platforms. In the footage, Shastri attempted to draw a comparison between the physical attributes of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. He contrasted the upright stance traditionally associated with Lord Ram with the three-fold bending posture of Lord Krishna, known in religious iconography as the tribhanga stance. The petitioner alleged that, during this comparison, Shastri used the term “crooked” to describe Lord Krishna.
Advocate Singh argued in his filing that such descriptions are not only disrespectful but also serve to damage the social reputation of the deity’s descendants. Furthermore, the petition states that these comments have caused significant distress to the sentiments of devotees throughout the Braj region, particularly in Vrindavan and Mathura. The complaint emphasizes that both deities are revered manifestations of the divine, and the petitioner contends that a comparative framework aimed at diminishing one over the other is unacceptable.
In response to the mounting public criticism and the subsequent legal move, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri released a video statement while abroad in Nairobi, Kenya. In the recording, the preacher offered an unconditional apology, speaking with folded hands to address the grievances of the faithful. He clarified that his original comments were intended to reflect the deeply emotional and loving traditions inherent in Braj devotion rather than to incite divisions or express any form of disrespect toward Lord Krishna.
Shastri maintained in his statement that he holds deep reverence for both deities, asserting that in his view, Lord Ram and Lord Krishna represent the same supreme consciousness. Despite this public expression of regret, the legal proceedings against him are moving forward. The Agra court has acknowledged the filing and set December 14 as the date for the next hearing to determine the further course of the case.
The incident has also resonated within the political sphere, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the comments triggered friction. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has publicly demanded strict action, suggesting that public events hosted by the preacher should be restricted. Conversely, some voices have defended the context of the sermon, accusing critics of leveraging the situation for political advantage ahead of upcoming elections.
As the case progresses, the judicial process will examine the merits of the defamation claim. The upcoming hearing in December is expected to be a focal point for those following the dispute, highlighting the ongoing tension between traditional religious discourse and legal accountability in matters of public sensitivity. For now, the legal system remains the venue where the resolution of the complaint will be decided.
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