Saints outraged after steel railing contract at Banke Bihari Temple allegedly awarded to Muslim contractor

Allegation – Contractor hid original identity to secure tender

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) – There is tension in Mathura after reports surfaced that the contract for installing steel railings in the premises and approach pathways of the famous Banke Bihari Temple has allegedly been awarded to a Muslim contractor. Sadhus, saints, and several Hindu organisations have objected strongly, calling the decision as ‘hurting religious sentiments.’

Members of the saint community have written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding that the contract be cancelled immediately and that a high-level investigation be conducted. They allege that the contractor secured the work by concealing his original identity.

Controversy at Banke Bihari Temple, Mathura. 🙏

Sant Samaj allege a steel railing contract was secured by a Muslim concealing true identity.

Demands for immediate cancellation of the contract are growing.

If this is true, immediate action must be taken. 📝#ReclaimTemples… pic.twitter.com/m86en8Uavt

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 3, 2026

The contract is said to have been awarded to a Meerut-based firm, Kanika Construction. According to claims being circulated, the main partner in the firm is Salim Ahmad. Some sources have identified him as Salim Khan and alleged that he is a Congress party leader.

Objections raised by saints

Saints say that construction responsibility within a temple, where daily worship is performed in a sacred atmosphere, should not be given to someone who does not follow Sanatan Dharma. They argue that such a move goes against religious tradition and the sentiments of devotees.

Dinesh Phalahari Maharaj, president of the ‘Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas’, stated in his letter to the Chief Minister that individuals who consume beef and do not accept Sanatan Dharma would not be acceptable in the courtyard of Banke Bihari to the residents of Braj. He further alleged that such people refer to Hindus as “kafirs” (non-Muslims, idol worshippers), they should not be allowed even within a kilometre near temple premises.

He also questioned, when many skilled Hindu contractors are available in the country, why the work was allegedly given to the “descendants of the Mughals,” who have destroyed temples and offered namaz there?

There is also talk of the possible involvement of an Additional District Magistrate -level officer in the awarding of the contract. It is further being mentioned that the same firm had earlier received a contract for food distribution work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temple Management Committee responds

Shailendra Goswami, a member of the temple’s high-power management committee, said, “I did not have official information that the owner of the contracting firm is a Muslim.” He added that Mughal emperor Akbar had once visited the temple to have darshan of Swami Haridasji who had manifested Banke Bihari through his devotion and listened to his devotional music.

Protesting saints completely rejected the justification, stating that visiting a temple for darshan is entirely different from carrying out construction work near the sanctum area, the two situations are entirely different.