A recent clash between Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav regarding the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura has reignited discussions about this issue before the Lok Sabha elections.
Despite the BJP officially stating that this matter isn’t a priority before the parliamentary polls, certain party members believe there might be a significant push for a temple construction at Krishna Janmabhoomi post-elections, aligning with the sentiments and beliefs of the party’s followers.
During the buildup to the 2021 UP Assembly elections, Maurya stirred controversy by suggesting that a temple in Mathura was on the BJP’s agenda following the ongoing construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Presently, he has called on Yadav to clarify his stance on wanting a Krishna temple in Mathura. For the Hindu right-wing, the temple disputes in Mathura and Varanasi (also known as Kashi) represent a broader ideological endeavor, as encapsulated in the slogan, “Ayodhya is just a glimpse; Kashi and Mathura are yet to come.