Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Self-Styled Godman of Bageshwar Dham, Receives Death Threat; Case Filed

'Godman' Dhirendra Shastri Receives Death Threat; Dhirendra Shastri is the head priest of Bageshwar Dham, a Hanuman temple in Gada village of Chhattarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. The 'godman' hit headlines after he made a controversial remark, "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation".

Chhatarpur: Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the self-styled godman of the Bageshwar Dham, has received death threats, and a case has now been registered against an unknown person. According to the police officials, Shastri received the threats over the phone. "A case under section 506, 507 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against an unknown person in Chhatarpur`s Bamitha police station," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Sachin Sharma. He, however, added that the accused is yet to be identified.

Who Is Dhirendra Krishna Shastri?

Dhirendra Shastri hit headlines after he made a controversial remark saying "support me and I will give you a Hindu nation". Shastri, who is also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, said that India is such a country where even a great sage like Goswami Tulsidas, who wrote the "Ramcharitmanas," had to face challenges.

Shastri also issued a warning saying, "Any priest, cleric or person who challenges the Sanatan Dharma will get a befitting reply.” “But then I am saying, you support me, I will give the Hindu nation," he appealed to his vast followers.  

On January 20, a Maharashtra-based organisation challenged him to display his power by performing miracles at an event in Nagpur. Responding to the challenge, Shastri told news agency ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

When quizzed about the chit in which he predicts the future of his devotees, Shastri said, "I have acquired the skill by the grace of God, our Gurus and the power of the mantras of Sanatan Dharma."

"Everyone should experience it. This is the proclamation of Satya Sanatan Dharma," he added. On whether action should be taken against people tarnishing his image and questioning his powers, he said, "They have tarnished my image. The people of Bageshwar Dham will give them a fitting reply. Anyone speaking against Sanatan Dharma will be boycotted."

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith." 

Several top BJP leaders, including Kailash Vijayvargiya and Kapil Mishra, have come out in support of 26-year-old 'godman'. who is known to travel across the country for religious addresses known as "katha".