Dhirendra Krishna Shastri
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri in 2023
Personal
Born
Dhirendra Krishna Garg

(1996-07-04) 4 July 1996
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
Parents
  • Ram Kripal Garg (father)
  • Saroj Garg (mother)
EducationBachelor of Arts
Religious career
PostPeethadhish of the "Bageshwar Dham Sarkar" [1]
Websitebageshwardham.co.in

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri (born 4 July 1996 as Dhirendra Krishna Garg)[2][3] also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar or Maharaj,[4][5] is the peethadhish of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a religious pilgrimage site in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India.[6] Shastri recites stories at Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur.[7] Shastri has been accused of tricking people using mentalism.[8][9]

Early years

Family

Shastri was born on 4 July 1996 in Gada village of Chhatarpur district. He was the eldest of two children to Saroj Garg (mother) and Ram Kripal Garg (father) and was brought up in a Hindu Saryupareen Brahmin family where his father works as a priest.[3][4] Shastri's childhood was one of extreme poverty; his family lived in a kutcha house. As a child, he used to narrate stories to people in his village.[3]

Education

Shastri completed his schooling in Ganj village.[10]

Religious career

Shastri is a disciple of Rambhadracharya.[11] Shastri is known for his preaching of the Ramcharitmanas and Shiva Purana. He claims to have some charismatic powers achieved through sādhanā by his followers.

Bageshwar Dham Sarkar

Shastri is serving as a peethadhishwar and chief of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Hanuman in Gada village in Chattarpur District, Madhya Pradesh. Shastri organises a divya darbar at this dham every Tuesday and Saturday,[12] where it is believed that he heals all the physical, mental, economic, and social sufferings of people with his divine powers, which he got from Hanuman. In an interview with The Lallantop Shastri said that he is the third generation serving as the chief of the dham, after his grandfather and father.[13][14][15]

Social activities

Shastri has established the Annapurna Kitchen in his dham, where free food offerings are arranged for his followers. He also holds an annual function for the marriage of poor and destitute girls. He is establishing a vedic gurukul to promote ancient vedic studies and Sanskrit.[16][17]

Shastri is said to have brought 300 people converted to Christianity back into Hinduism during a ghar wapsi program in 2021. On January 25, 2023, Government of Madhya Pradesh increased the security of Shastri following the death threats received by him.[18][19]

Social media presence

Shastri has experienced a significant surge in his social media presence, currently boasting a total of 7.5 million followers across various platforms. Specifically, he has garnered 3.4 million followers on Facebook, 3.9 million subscribers on YouTube, 300,000 followers on Instagram, and 72,000 followers on Twitter. Several of his most widely viewed videos have garnered between three and ten million views.[20]

Controversies and criticism

Superstition and witchcraft allegations

Shastri came into focus when Indian rationalist Shyam Manav challenged him and questioned his spiritual powers. Manav also accused Shastri of promoting blind faith. When the controversy erupted in the media, Shastri invited Manav to his Divya Darbar and said, “I am just a servant at the feet of Bageshwar Balaji. I do as he inspires me”.[21][22][23]

The All India Superstition Eradication Committee (Akhil Bhartiya Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti) made a complaint to the Nagpur Police about Shastri under the anti-superstition act. The committee's chairman, Shyam Manav, said that witchcraft is being promoted in the guise of 'Divya Darbar' and 'Pret Darbar', and that ordinary people are being looted, cheated, and exploited by Dhirendra Shastri in the name of religion.[7] The police investigated this and found no grounds for prosecution under the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act (2013).[24]

Many prominent Hindu Religious leaders like Swami Ramdev, Rambhadracharya, Sadhvi Prachi, Pragya Thakur and politician Giriraj Singh came to his support. He also got support from Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad[25][26][27] On 22 January 2023, several Hindu organizations called for a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in support of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar's Chief Pontiff Shastri.[28][29][30] On 25 January 2023, the Nagpur Police gave a clean chit to Dhirendra Shastri against an allegation of promoting superstitious activities in his public programmes in Nagpur. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said that during an inquiry into the complaint and the examination of “evidence” submitted by complainant Shyam Manav, founder of ‘Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti’, nothing was found that could attract action under the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition & Black Magic Act.[24][31][32][33]

Land dispute

It is alleged that Dhirendra Shastri's Dham is held in a government-owned community hall, and that people who work for Shastri have been pressuring 15 local landowners to sell their land to Shastri's dham. Shastri denies this.[34]

Hindu nationalism

On the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23, Shastri gave the slogan "Give us your support, we will give Hindu Rashtra" to declare India as a Hindu nation.[35][36][37][38] He also urged that Ramcharitmanas be declared the national scripture of India.[39] [40] In Rajat Sharma's Aapki Adalat Show Shastri said that he respects all religions and is not against any religion but will not tolerate objectionable remarks against his religion. He also said that he will continue to raise the demand for Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat.[41][42][43][44][45]

On Shastri's Hindu Rashtra remarks, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "How can a Hindu nation be made? There is a constitution in this country, and the country is governed by the constitution."[46]

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath endorsed his remarks and said that India is already a Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat will come true.[47][48]

References

  1. ↑ Ghosh, Poulomi (19 January 2023). "What is the row over Bageshwar Dham Sarkar? Who is Dhirendra Krishna Shastri?". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Who is Bageshwar Dham Sarkar aka Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Why he is in news?". Jagranjosh.com. 2023-01-19. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  3. 1 2 3 Kumar, Piyush (20 January 2023). "Bageshwar Dham वाले Dhirendra Shastri का कठिनाइयों में बीता बचपन, जानें- बाला जी भगवान के भक्त की कहानी" [Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham had a difficult childhood, know the story of a devotee of Lord Balaji]. Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 Khan, Nakshab (21 January 2023). "Superstition challenge row: Who is Bageshwar Dham Sarkar alias Dhirendra Krishna Shastri?". Times Now. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Rajput, Brajesh (21 January 2023). "बागेश्वर धाम के पंडित धीरेंद्र शास्त्री की परिवार के साथ अनदेखी तस्वीरें, यहां रहकर हुई थी उनकी" [Bageshwar Dham: Unseen pictures of Pandit Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham with his family, he did his schooling while staying here]. ABP News (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  6. ↑ Kaushik, Rahul (22 January 2023). "Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, 'Sarkar' of Bageshwar Dham temple challenged to demonstrate his miraculous power". GrowJust India. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023.
  7. 1 2 Chaurasia, Lokesh; Pandey, Yogesh (19 January 2023). "'ना मैं संत हूं, ना कोई समस्या दूर करने का दावा करता हूं', बोले बागेश्वर धाम के धीरेंद्र शास्त्री" ['Neither am I a saint, nor do I claim to solve any problem', said Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham]. Aaj Tak (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: The Indian guru making headlines over 'miracle' cures". BBC News. 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  9. ↑ "Suhani Shah: Everything about "Jadoo Pari," who is popular for reading minds". The Economic Times. 2023-01-25. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  10. ↑ Singh, Praveen (23 January 2023). "Bageshwar Dham: धीरेंद्र शास्त्री ने कितनी की है पढ़ाई, कैसा है उनका फैमिली बैकग्राउंड" [Bageshwar Dham: How much has Dhirendra Shastri studied, how is his family background]. News18 India. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "क्या चमत्कार होते हैं? धीरेंद्र कृष्ण शास्त्री के गुरु रामभद्राचार्य ने दिया जवाब, स्वामी प्रसाद मौर्य पर भी बोले". Hindustan. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "Who is Pandit Dhirendra Shastri and why is he famous?". The Economic Times. 2023-01-23. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  13. ↑ "बागेश्वर धाम में आखिर क्यों नहीं रह पाते लोग हाजिरी लगाए बिना, जानिए यहां तक जाने का खर्च". Navbharat Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  14. ↑ Sharma, Vibha. "Who is Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Find out reason behind the recent controversy". The Tribune (Chandigarh). Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "Explained: Who is Bageshwar Dham Krishna Shastri and why is he in news?". Mint. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "सेवाएं | गौ रक्षा | वैदिक गुरुकुल". Bageshwar Dham. 16 July 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Why MP's Bageshwar Dham and it's [sic] head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri are trending | 5 key reasons". TimesNow. January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023.
  18. ↑ Rajput, Brajesh (24 January 2023). "बागेश्वर धाम सरकार की सुरक्षा के लिए एसआईटी, स्वागत के लिए उमड़ा भक्तों का सैलाब". ABP News. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Bageshwar Dham chief gets life threat; Chhatarpur police form 25-member probe team". The Week (Indian magazine). Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  20. ↑ "Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: The Indian guru making headlines over 'miracle' cures". BBC News. 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  21. ↑ "What is the row over Bageshwar Dham Sarkar? Who is Dhirendra Krishna Shastri?". Hindustan Times. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "Exclusive interview of Shyam Manav who challenged Baba of Bageshwar | Dhirendra Shastri". ABP News. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "DNA | Dhirendra Krishna Shastri and Shyam Manav - A faceoff". DNA India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Nagpur police give 'clean chit' to Bageshwar Dham chief in complaint lodged by anti-superstition crusader". ThePrint. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "बागेश्वर धाम के पीठाधीश्वर पंडित धीरेंद्र शास्त्री पर पहली बार बोले बाबा रामदेव, जानिए क्या कहा". ABP News. January 21, 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "धीरेंद्र शास्त्री विवाद में कूदे केंद्रीय मंत्री गिरिराज सिंह , बोले- सनातन धर्म के महापुरुषों में ऐसा सामर्थ्य होता है". आज तक. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "बागेश्वर महाराज ने चैलेंज किया स्वीकार, अखिल भारतीय अंधश्रद्धा निर्मूलन समिति के उपाध्यक्ष को बुलाया रायपुर". आज तक. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "Today Protest in Delhi to support Bageshwar Dham Baba". Zee News (video) (in Hindi). 22 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  29. ↑ Prakash, Swayam (22 January 2023). "बागेशवर धाम सरकार का विवाद दिल्ली तक पहुंचा, समर्थकों का आज जंतर-मंतर पर प्रदर्शन". India TV Hindi. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  30. ↑ "Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: Advocate of Superstition & Sanatan Dharma | About 'Godman' Dhirendra Shastri". News18. 22 January 2023. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "नागपुर पुलिस ने दी क्लीन चिट तो बागेश्वर वाले बाबा धीरेंद्र शास्त्री बोले- कानून पर पूरा भरोसा". ABP News. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  32. ↑ "सनातन का प्रचार अंधविश्वास नहीं... नागपुर पुलिस से क्लीन चिट पर दहाड़े बागेश्वर महाराज". Navbharat Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  33. ↑ Sinha, Shamit (25 January 2023). Srivastava, Shikhar (ed.). "सिद्धि नहीं है और वे ढोंग रच रहे हैं...! सब गलत, धीरेंद्र शास्त्री को क्लीन चिट" [There is no achievement and they are creating pretence…! All wrong, clean chit to Dhirendra Shastri]. TV9 Bharatvarsh. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "सरकारी जमीन कब्जा करने के आरोप पर धीरेंद्र शास्त्री ने लल्लनटॉप को क्या जवाब दिया?" [What answer did Dhirendra Shastri give to Lallantop on the allegation of encroachment of government land?]. The Lallantop. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  35. ↑ "अब हिंदू राष्ट्र को लेकर धीरेंद्र शास्त्री का आया नया बयान, विवादों के बीच बयानों के छोड़े तीर". ABP News (in Hindi). 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  36. ↑ "'तुम हमारा साथ दो, हम हिंदू राष्ट्र बनाएंगे', बागेश्वर धाम वाले धीरेंद्र शास्त्री का नया बयान, कहा- चूड़ियां पहनकर घर में मत बैठो". News18 India (in Hindi). January 24, 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  37. ↑ "'तुम मेरा साथ दो, हम हिंदू राष्ट्र बनाएंगे', बोले बागेश्वर धाम के धीरेंद्र शास्त्री". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "'Support me and I will give you Hindu Rashtra', says Bageshwar Dham 'Sarkar' Dhirendra Krishna Shastri [WATCH]". TimesNow. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  39. ↑ "विशेष: पहले हिंदू राष्ट्र, अब रामचरितमानस की बात...बागेश्वर धाम वाले बाबा के दिल में क्या है?". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 25 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "कौन हैं धीरेंद्र शास्त्री ? क्या है बागेश्वर धाम - Jaago Re". January 23, 2023.
  41. ↑ Roushan, Anurag; Sharma, Rajat (11 February 2023). "Aap Ki Adalat: 'Hum karen to chori...': Dhirendra Shastri on Owaisi's 'Hindu leaders spreading hate' remark". India TV. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023.
  42. ↑ Kumar, Vineet (11 February 2023). "देखें, 'आप की अदालत' में बागेश्वर धाम के प्रमुख धीरेंद्र कृष्ण शास्त्री LIVE". India TV (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 17 February 2023.
  43. ↑ Sharma, Rajat (13 February 2023). "VIDEO: Bageshwar Dham In Aap Ki Adalat: Pandit Dhirendra Shastri told what pastimes he has done?". India TV. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023.
  44. ↑ Shruti, Srivastava (12 February 2023). "जब रजत शर्मा से बोले धीरेंद्र शास्त्री- आप भी इंडिया टीवी का हाउस हमारे नाम करें हमें कोई दिक्कत नहीं". Jansatta (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 19 March 2023.
  45. ↑ Sharma, Rajat (13 February 2023). "VIDEO: Dhirendra Shastri In Aap Ki Adalat: Does the Baba of Bageshwar Dham do Publicity Stunt?". India TV. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023.
  46. ↑ "Asaduddin Owaisi: बागेश्वर धाम के धीरेंद्र शास्त्री पर बरसे असदुद्दीन ओवैसी, हिंदू राष्ट्र का भी किया जिक्र" [Asaduddin Owaisi: Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, also mentioned Hindu nation]. ABP News (in Hindi). 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023.
  47. ↑ Kumar, Mayank (16 February 2023). "India a 'Hindu Rashtra', 'Akhand Bharat' will come true, says Yogi Adityanath". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023.
  48. ↑ "UP Politics: हिन्दू राष्ट्र के मुद्दे पर सीएम योगी आदित्यनाथ ने दिया सबसे बड़ा बयान, जानिए- क्या कहा?" [UP Politics: CM Yogi Adityanath gave the biggest statement on the issue of Hindu nation, know what he said?]. ABP News (in Hindi). 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023.
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