Right-wing groups object to a lawful tender, while temple managers urge calm and reject communal pressure
MATHURA – A fresh controversy has erupted at the Thakur Banke Bihari temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura after a Muslim contractor was awarded a contract to install railings, prompting protests by right-wing Hindu groups and a wider debate on bias and fair treatment.
The work involves fitting steel railings from the entry gate to the exit gate to manage crowd movement at one of the country’s most visited temples. Trouble began when the contractor’s name became public and objections were raised on religious grounds.
Videos shared online show members linked to Hindu groups questioning how a Muslim could be given work inside a major temple. The clips spread quickly, drawing strong reactions. While some supported the protest, many others criticised it as open discrimination.
A video uploaded on Facebook by Sandeep Pahal revived the issue on Sunday. In the clip, he asks, “If Muslims are stopped at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, then how can a Muslim be given a contract at Banke Bihari temple?” His remarks triggered sharp responses online.
According to claims in the video, the tender was awarded to Kanika Construction, a Meerut-based company. Pahal alleged that one of the firm’s main partners is Congress leader Salim Khan and suggested official influence in the tender process, though no proof has been offered.
Temple authorities have firmly rejected the communal tone of the protests. A member of the high-powered management committee, Shailendra Goswami, said the focus should remain on the work, not the worker’s faith. “We do not check religion when awarding contracts. The tender followed rules,” he said.
Referring to history, Goswami added, “It is recorded that Mughal emperor Akbar came to hear Swami Haridas. He was also a Muslim. Our tradition does not support hatred.”
Many locals echoed this view. A shopkeeper near the temple said, “This is about iron railings, not religion. Why should a Muslim not earn a living here?” Another resident remarked, “Such protests only spread fear and harm social peace.”
Critics say the outrage reflects a wider pattern where Muslims are targeted even in ordinary business matters. Social media users pointed out that no objections are raised when Muslim labour is used in construction elsewhere, but temple-related work is singled out.
The temple committee has appealed for restraint. “Do not give this matter a communal colour,” Goswami said. “The temple belongs to devotion, not politics.”
As work continues, the episode has again highlighted how quickly religious identity is used to block Muslim participation in public life, even when procedures are followed and no law is broken.
