Maulana Jarjis Ansari has sparked a sharp communal controversy after a viral video showed him claiming that Lord Krishna was a Muslim who offered namaz five times a day — remarks that prompted an immediate and fierce response from Hindu saints, seers, and right-wing organisations across the country on 16 July.

Ansari reportedly also recited a verse from the Bhagavad Gita to support his claim, a move that further inflamed religious sentiment among Hindu leaders who accused him of misinterpreting scripture.

Hindu Seers Condemn the Remarks

Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das delivered one of the sharpest rebukes, announcing a reward of ₹10 lakh for anyone who 'cuts off his tongue' — a statement that itself raises concerns about incitement. He accused Ansari of having no knowledge of Sanskrit and of deliberately distorting Bhagavad Gita verses. 'He has hurt the religious sentiments of Lord Krishna's devotees,' Vishnu Das said.

Mahant Nirmal Giri of Agra's Kailash Mahadev Temple called the remarks 'nonsensical,' alleging that Ansari routinely makes such statements when addressing Muslim gatherings. 'He has created a kind of propaganda about how to attack Sanatan Dharma,' Nirmal Giri said, adding that Ansari 'does not have any knowledge of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and neither about Lord Krishna.'

Peethadheeshwar of Tapasvi Chhawani Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya called the statement 'baseless, without evidence, inhumane, and capable of disturbing peace in the country.'

Saint Deveshacharya ji Maharaj said: 'The Maulana has lost his mind, that is why he is making such absurd statements. Claiming that Lord Krishna recited the Kalma and offered namaz is a very unfortunate statement. Such remarks only serve to spread unrest.'

VHP and Hindu Mahasabha Weigh In

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said Ansari and 'such people have been red-faced many times before, but they feel no shame,' and called on the government and administration to take action.

Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha national spokesperson Shishir Chaturvedi urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government to act, warning that inaction would make the administration 'appear weak.' He also addressed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav directly, invoking his Yadav lineage's connection to Lord Krishna and calling on him to speak out. 'Please leave this kind of appeasement otherwise Sanatanis will stop looking at you,' Chaturvedi said.

Akhara Parishad Appeals for Strict Action

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri appealed to authorities to take strict action against what he described as 'misleading' statements. The episode has drawn comparisons to earlier incidents in which clerics or public figures made claims about Hindu deities that triggered similar backlash.

What Happens Next

As of 16 July, no official police or government action against Maulana Ansari had been confirmed in reports. The controversy is likely to intensify pressure on the Uttar Pradesh government to respond, given the involvement of prominent religious bodies and the viral spread of the original video. The incident underscores the recurring tension around religious speech in India, where statements perceived as insulting to a faith — from any direction — routinely escalate into political flashpoints.