Baghel vs Bageshwar Baba Row in Chhattisgarh

• Dhirendra Shastri and Bhupesh Baghel trade sharp remarks
• Row triggered over superstition, faith and nationalism
• Questions raised over use of govt aircraft for Baba’s travel
• Online calls for probe into protocol and police conduct

GG News Bureau
Raipur, 27th Dec: A fresh political-religious confrontation has erupted in Chhattisgarh after former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and spiritual preacher Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, exchanged sharp remarks over superstition, faith and the narrative that Hindus are “in danger”.

The exchange unfolded on Thursday as Shastri arrived in Bhilai for his Hanuman Katha programme. Responding to Baghel’s earlier criticism that preachers like him were spreading superstition, Shastri said that if uniting the Hindu community, promoting devotion and awakening nationalism are labelled superstition, then “those who think so should leave the country”.

Shastri claimed demographic changes were making Hindu unity necessary and cited Bangladesh as an example. He also said the Hindu community in Chhattisgarh was “awakening” and announced plans to organise more religious programmes across the state.

Earlier, Baghel had criticised Shastri and another preacher, Pradeep Mishra, saying rituals and superstition were being promoted instead of genuine spiritual knowledge. He rejected claims that Hindus are in danger, calling it a political narrative that emerged after the rise of the BJP and RSS.

A separate controversy erupted over Shastri’s travel to Chhattisgarh on a state government aircraft. Reports said a state minister flew to Satna to pick him up, triggering online criticism over alleged misuse of official resources. A video showing a police officer touching Shastri’s feet after he disembarked further fuelled the backlash.

Social media users have demanded an impartial inquiry into the aircraft’s use and the conduct of the police officer, alleging violations of official protocol and equality norms.