‘Feels Improper’: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Objects To Calling Lord Krishna ‘Makhan Chor’

Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 17:10 IST

Lord Krishna's portrayal as Makhanchor sparks debate after Mohan Yadav calls him a rebel, prompting criticism from Congress.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s comments on Lord Krishna during a Janmashtami event have triggered a political row. (X)

The image of being chubby, naughty with an insatiable love for freshly churned butter of Lord Krishna, who is also known as Natkhat Nandlal (mischievous Nandlal) is beloved of devotees. Lovingly referring to Lord Krishna as Makhanchor (butter thief) has been a practice among storytellers, bhajan singers and religious preachers since generations.

However, Madhya Pradesh is preparing an exercise to reshape this portrayal as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav claimed that the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu was a rebel and not a “makhanchor."

Yadav, who made the comment during a Janmashtami event, triggered a massive row, with the Congress accusing him of trying to “rewrite" the traditions of Sanatana Dharma.

While calling the popular title as misleading, Yadav argued that Lord Krishna’s childhood act of breaking butter pots was actually a stand of rebellion against his maternal uncle Kansa’s exploitation.

“Even saying the word ‘Makhan Chor’ feels improper. Lord Krishna’s fondness for butter was such that it often ended up in the house of Kansa. His anger was that Kansa was consuming what rightfully belonged to him and still oppressing him," Yadav claimed.

“There were thousands of cows in Gokul, and butter from there went to Kansa’s house. Krishna told his fellow cowherds: eat your butter, break the pot, but don’t let it reach our enemy. This was not theft but a message of resistance. Krishna’s leela is about love and protest against injustice, not about stealing," he added.

After his remark, the state’s culture department started planning to work on a public awareness campaign that will portray Lord Krishna as a rebel and not a butter thief.

Meanwhile, Yadav’ comment triggered a row on social media and drew sharp criticism from the Congress.

Leader of Opposition and four-time Congress MLA Umang Singhar, accused Yadav and his government of unnecessarily fiddling with Hindu mythology just to garner political mileage.

“Mohan Yadav wants to write his own version of history. For centuries, Krishna’s pastimes have been recorded and celebrated. Does he now want to change the ancient stories of Sanatana Dharma?" Singhar asked.

He further took a dig and said that the Chief Minister should better tell people “how he stole the people’s mandate for forming his government."

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

Read More

Location :

Bhopal, India, India

First Published:

August 23, 2025, 17:10 IST

News india ‘Feels Improper’: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Objects To Calling Lord Krishna ‘Makhan Chor’

Read More