Mathura’s religious landscape is heating up ahead of Holi, with a fresh controversy sparked by Dinesh Sharma, known as Falahari Maharaj, the lead petitioner in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute. In a bold letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he has demanded a complete ban on Muslim shopkeepers selling colors and gulal during the festival.
Falahari Maharaj expressed deep concerns over the purity of Holi colors. He alleged that anti-Hindu elements could tamper with the products by mixing glass particles or other impurities to desecrate the sacred celebrations. ‘To prevent any mishap or hurt to religious sentiments, members of the Muslim community should be kept away from trading in Hindu festivals,’ he told reporters.
The demands extend beyond Holi sales. He called for prohibiting Muslim vendors from setting up temporary stalls near key temples like Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, linking such activities to broader conspiracies akin to ‘love jihad.’ Only Sanatan Dharma traders, he insisted, should handle sales of festival items tied to Hindu traditions.
This isn’t the first time Falahari Maharaj has grabbed headlines with his extreme vows. For the past four years, he has abstained from grains, surviving solely on fruits, and vows to continue his fast until the mosque is fully removed from the Janmabhoomi premises.
The letter has reignited debates on economic boycotts and social harmony. Supporters view it as a measure to safeguard religious purity, while critics decry it as an assault on India’s Ganga-Jamuni culture. As of now, neither the CM’s office nor local administration has responded officially, but the issue is poised to escalate.