A speech by Maulana Jarjis Ansari has triggered a major controversy after a video of him saying that Lord Krishna was a Muslim and offered namaz five times a day went viral on social media.
The video, said to have been shot on June 23 at a religious gathering in Jharkhand, has resurfaced as the fight between Krishna and Janmabhoomi continues in the Hindu press. This is because his comments have damaged religious sentiments, the protesters said.
What Did Maulana Jarjis Ansari Say?
During his speech, Ansari referred to chapter 6 and verse 10 of Bhagavad Gita and recited the Sanskrit verse:
"Yogi yunjita satatam atmanam rahasi sthitah, Ekaki yata-chittatma nirashir aparigrahah.”
He claimed that the verse instructed devotees to worship the "whole body" and argued that Lord Krishna himself offered prayers five times a day.
"If our brothers do not mind, then even Krishna ji used to offer prayers five times a day. If you do not believe, then see the 10th verse of the 6th chapter of the Shri Bhagavad Gita," Ansari said.
He also claimed that if Hindus studied their religious texts closely, they would “start loving Islam,” asserting that Islam was a universal faith that had been preached not only by Prophet Muhammad but also by Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
Bhagavad Gita Verse Does Not Mention Namaz
However, Ansari's interpretation of the verse does not fit in our understanding of the verse.
According to widely accepted translations, Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 10 states:
"Let the yogi constantly engage in meditation, remaining in solitude, alone, with mind and self under control, free from desires and free from possessiveness."
The verse talks about meditation, self-discipline and spiritual practice. It does not mention Islam, namaz or offering prayers five times a day.
Hindu Organisations Demand Action
The video has been protested by various Hindu organisations who say the cleric has distorted Hindu scriptures and insulted the sentiments of Hindu people.
There are also several groups who have asked that authorities register a case against Ansari and take appropriate legal action. There is no news of whether any FIR has been taken in connection with the speech yet.
Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Maulana Jarjis Ansari has been at the center of controversy.
In 2022, another video of the cleric was criticised for the way he said that a Muslim woman should never refuse her husband’s sexual advances even if she was in labour.
In the video, Ansari said that refusing a husband’s sexual demands amounted to a grave sin and cited what he called a religious commandment to back up his remarks. The comments were highly controversial and were widely condemned by activists and women’s rights groups.
Conviction in Rape Case
Ansari was also convicted in a criminal case.
In September 2022, a Varanasi fast-track court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment in a rape case involving a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her on the false promise of marriage and later blackmailing her.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.
The prosecution alleged that she first met Ansari in 2013 when he regularly visited Varanasi for religious activities. She accused him of repeatedly sexually assaulting her at different hotels, recording one of the incidents and later threatening and blackmailing her. In response to her complaint, an FIR was registered in November 2015.
Ansari has not only faced criticism, but his remarks have also generated a lot of discussion on social media and a lot of calls for recourse against him.
