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Does Pandit Dhirendra Shastri Charge Rs 50 Lakh For Katha? Baba Ramdev Says 'It Is...'

Baba Ramdev dismissed allegations that Pandit Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Baba Bageshwar Dham, charges up to Rs 50 lakh for his 'kathas' (religious stories) Amid an escalating controversy over the alleged exorbitant fees charged by Pandit Dhirendra Shastri for his religious discourses, yoga guru Baba Ramdev has come out in support of the preacher, calling the entire conversation around money 'useless". In an interview to News18 Hindi, Baba Ramdev dismissed allegations that Pandit Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Baba Bageshwar Dham, charges up to Rs 50 lakh for his kathas (religious stories). 'Who takes how much and who gives how much, talking about this is useless," he said, adding, 'If someone wants to call Baba Dhirendra Shastri for a katha, we will get him on the phone. If someone wants to donate Rs 5 lakh, Rs 50 lakh, or Rs 5 crore for the hospital he is building, they can do so. And if someone doesn't want to give anything, they can still listen to his kathas for free on YouTube." The controversy erupted after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that some babas charge such hefty fees for kathas that ordinary people cannot afford. Though he did not name anyone, the comments were widely perceived to be aimed at Baba Bageshwar Dham. When asked about Yadav's remarks, Baba Ramdev quipped, 'If the Bageshwar katha is too expensive, listen to me. I can narrate every story." At the same time, he subtly cautioned Pandit Dhirendra Shastri, who recently said, 'I am a devotee of Bajrang Bali (Lord Hanuman). I can't answer every donkey's words," by saying, 'He's my younger brother. He shouldn't say such things. But no one should speak lightly about him either." It's worth noting that Pandit Dhirendra Shastri has amassed a massive following across the country, but his meteoric rise hasn't been without criticism, particularly over accusations of promoting superstition and monetising faith. While his supporters call him a spiritual messenger of Lord Hanuman, critics have increasingly questioned the commercialisation of his kathas, often citing unverified reports of multi-crore fees. First Published: July 02, 2025, 20:46 IST