Latest news with #DhirendraShastri
News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
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
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akhilesh Yadav's 'under the table' dig at Dhirendra Shastri amid kathavachak row
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took potshots at self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, saying he takes money "under the table" when called over to read a katha at people's homes. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav jabbed Dhirendra Shastri.(File photo) Akhilesh Yadav's remarks came amid an ongoing uproar over the alleged humiliation of two Bhagavat 'kathavachaks' (religious storyteller) of the Yadav community in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah district. "There are many Kathavachaks who charge ₹ 50 lakh. Can anyone invite Dhirendra Shastri to their home for a katha? That baba will take money under the table. Please find out if he does or not. I'm sure he doesn't do it for free," Akhilesh Yadav can be heard saying in a video going viral. Dhirendra Shastri is a self-styled spiritual preacher who became a sensation over the past years. Until the time of writing this report, there has been no reaction from Dhirendra Shastri on Akhilesh Yadav's remarks. Row over kathavachaks Violence erupted in Etawah's Dandarpur village last week after two kathavachaks were allegedly humiliated, tonsured and forced to rub their noses at the feet of women, after villagers found out that they were not Brahmins. However, villagers alleged that the kathavachaks had concealed their identity when discussions were underway for their discourse in the area. According to an organiser who filed an FIR against the two kathavachaks, had their caste identity been disclosed earlier, they would not have been engaged. Reacting to the incident, Akhilesh Yadav had lashed out at the BJP, saying the party was attempting to divide Uttar Pradesh along caste lines. "The BJP is deploying its 'planted people' with strategic surnames from neighbouring states to carry out its infiltrative politics and disturb social harmony in Uttar Pradesh," Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The incident had triggered widespread protests by members of the 'Ahir Regiment', a socio-cultural body. Violence erupted after members of the body protested outside the Bakewar police station and shouted slogans. While some were dispersed by the cops, others engaged in a heated exchange with security personnel, leading to violence. 'The force acted with restraint and reinforcement was called in,' said circle officer Atul Pradhan. Six people were detained in connection with the case.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Many Kathavachaks Charge Rs 50 Lakh': Akhilesh Yadav Takes Jibe At Dhirendra Shastri
Last Updated: Akhilesh Yadav criticized Dhirendra Shastri amid controversy over the assault on non-Brahmin preachers in Etawah, claiming many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for events. Following the ongoing controversy over the assault on a non-Brahmin 'kathavachak' (religious storyteller) in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took a jibe at religious leader Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, saying that there are many storytellers who charge Rs 50 lakh. The SP Chief said he doesn't know how much Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, charges for storytelling, but claimed 'it is not free". 'Many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for an event. Can anyone afford Dhirendra Shastri for a katha (religious ceremony) at their residence? He takes the money under the table," Yadav told reporters in Hindi. However, there was no immediate response from Dhirendra Shastri. This comes days after two Bhagwat Katha preachers identified as Mukut Mani Yadav and his aide, Sant Singh Yadav, were allegedly tonsured and humiliated in a village in Etawah. The June 22 incident allegedly took place after it was found that the preachers belonged to the Yadav caste. The incident caused widespread protests in the village, leading to the arrest of four accused — Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi and Manu Dubey — all residents of the village. Attacking the ruling BJP over the alleged assault, Yadav said that the incident was part of a larger conspiracy to divide Uttar Pradesh along caste lines by bringing in 'planted elements" from neighbouring states. First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:59 IST
