KARERA, India — Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri apologised with folded hands on Friday for describing Lord Krishna as "crooked" during a Ram Katha in Shivpuri, stating he spoke out of love and that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are one and the same.
The apology came after the remark sparked outrage among saints in Mathura and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, who called calling Thakurji "crooked" a sin. Shastri had said on October 29 during the seventh day of his Shri Ram Katha in Karera: "Our Ram is straight, while your Krishna is crooked. Your Thakurji's head is crooked, his name is crooked, and even the way he walks and stands is crooked."
Saints in Mathura had expressed anger, with Dinesh Falhari Maharaj saying Dhirendra Shastri should apologise and that Braj residents would not forgive him. Supriya Shrinate said dividing revered deities was unacceptable.
At the conclusion of the seven-day discourse in Karera, Shastri also clarified his earlier "Khasam Pujan Diwas" remark, stating the word "khasam" means husband in the Bundelkhandi language. He asked women in the audience if they call their husbands "khasam," giving the example of a mother-in-law telling a daughter-in-law to "go and tell your khasam." The remark had sparked a nationwide debate after he jokingly renamed Karwa Chauth as Husband Worship Day during a Straight Talk session on October 26.
Shastri also addressed police personnel attending the discourse, sharing an incident about an SP whose wife went hungry on Diwali due to police duty. "Even if someone's wife goes missing, the police have to worry," he said, calling their duty very dangerous. He concluded the day's discourse by 5 pm so officers could perform Karwa Chauth puja.
Throughout the seven-day event, Shastri called intoxicants, sleep and women the most dangerous things for youth, stating Hindus face a greater threat from other Hindus than from other communities. He also celebrated the birth anniversary of Lord Ram Lalla on the fourth day, with former minister Imarti Devi attending and dancing along with devotees.
The discourse concluded with a large congregation of devotees, having drawn significant attention for both its religious content and the surrounding controversies.
