Last Update: May 16, 2023, 21:47 IST
Dhirendra Shastri is a 26-year-old self-styled godman. (Image: Twitter)
Shastri, who reached Patna on May 13 to perform a program at Taret Pali Math in Naubatpur, claimed that he had come to Bihar risking his life to wake up the people of the state.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday criticized self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri for reiterating his commitment to make India a “Hindu nation”, saying those who made such remarks were not even born during the freedom struggle. The JD(U) leader insisted that people were allowed to practice their religion but no religion-based comments should be made.
The head shastri of Bageshwar Dham, known as Bageshwar Baba, held a five-day congregation in Bihar, where he claimed that one day people living in India would have to chant ‘Sita Ram’.
When asked by the media in Patna about Shastri’s remarks, Nitish said Hindustan Times, “…were all those who say so born during the freedom struggle?… what is the need to say so? Whatever religion you want to follow. But the renaming proposals are surprising. Is that even possible?”
Echoing similar sentiments, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav targeted Shastri’s popularity and asked, “Who is Baba Bageshwar? Is he Baba too?” When the media asked him why the Bihar government did not stop him from organizing an event in Patna.
#Watch , Former Bihar CM and RJD National President Lalu Prasad Yadav when asked why Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham was not stopped from organizing an event in Patna, who is Baba Bageshwar? pic.twitter.com/7dTnSMtSQo– ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2023
Shastri, who reached Patna on May 13 to perform a program at Taret Pali Math in Naubatpur, claimed that he had come to Bihar risking his life to wake up the people of the state.
“The population of Bihar is around 13 crores and I want to tell you through this ‘Hanuman Katha’ that once you return to your respective homes, you should establish the religious flag of Lord Hanuman. If five crore people of Bihar do this and apply tilak on their forehead before stepping out of their homes, India will move towards becoming a Hindu Rashtra. I want to appeal to all the people to save and preserve our culture and Sanatan Dharma. I have come to Bihar risking my life to wake up the people of Bihar. And I will continue to do so,” Shastri said.
According to media reports, over three lakh people attended the event on Sunday, many of whom fell ill due to the scorching heat in Patna with temperatures above 40 degrees.
In view of the heat wave-like situation, Shastri requested people to avoid coming in large numbers.
The self-styled godman also got into trouble during his ‘Divine Darbar’ session, where he called his followers ‘mad’. The remark came after he had to cancel the aarti due to overcrowding at the venue.
“Bahot jyada bheed ho gayi hai, apaar bheed ho gayi…pagal hi pagal aa gaye hain (There is too much crowd, the crowd has become huge, the madmen have come),” he was quoted as saying.
