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Revision as of 23:49, 15 July 2023 view sourceMntzr (talk | contribs)137 edits No accusation of conning in the sources. Also, this belongs in a separate 'controversies' section, not in the introduction.Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit Revision as of 09:27, 16 July 2023 view source JBW (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators195,640 edits If sources saying things such as he is "doing cheap tricks to impress the gullible masses" don't amiunt to mentioning accusations of conning, then I don't know what else they mean. However, let's use a word taken directly from a cited source, to avoid any doubt. No reason has been given for the statement that this should not be mentioned in the lead, and excluding it makes the lead give an unbalanced impression of the overall content of the article. Also minor improvements in punctuation etc.Next edit →
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'''Dhirendra Krishna Shastri''' (born 4 July 1996 as '''Dhirendra Krishna Garg''')<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Who is Bageshwar Dham Sarkar aka Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Why he is in news? |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-aka-dhirendra-krishna-shashtri-1674134081-1 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Jagranjosh.com |archive-date=2023-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404083854/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-aka-dhirendra-krishna-shashtri-1674134081-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jagran-20Jan2023"/> also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar or Maharaj,<ref name="timesnownews-23Jan23"/><ref name="abplive-21Jan23">{{cite news |date=21 January 2023 |title=बागेश्वर धाम के पंडित धीरेंद्र शास्त्री की परिवार के साथ अनदेखी तस्वीरें, यहां रहकर हुई थी उनकी |url=https://www.abplive.com/photo-gallery/states/madhya-pradesh-mp-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-old-photos-seen-with-family-and-friends-chhatarpur-ann-2314050 |work=] |first1=Brajesh |last1=Rajput |trans-title=Bageshwar Dham: Unseen pictures of Pandit Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham with his family, he did his schooling while staying here |language=hi |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122071127/https://www.abplive.com/photo-gallery/states/madhya-pradesh-mp-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-old-photos-seen-with-family-and-friends-chhatarpur-ann-2314050 |url-status=live }}</ref> is the ] of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a religious pilgrimage site in ] of ], India.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaushik |first=Rahul |date=22 January 2023 |title=Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, 'Sarkar' of Bageshwar Dham temple challenged to demonstrate his miraculous power |url=https://www.growjustindia.com/india/dhirendra-krishna-shastri-sarkar-of-bageshwar-dham-temple-challenged-to-demonstrate-his-miraculous-power/ |website=GrowJust India |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123201908/https://www.growjustindia.com/india/dhirendra-krishna-shastri-sarkar-of-bageshwar-dham-temple-challenged-to-demonstrate-his-miraculous-power/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shastri recites stories at Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur.<ref name="aajtak.in-19Jan23">{{cite news |date=19 January 2023 |title='ना मैं संत हूं, ना कोई समस्या दूर करने का दावा करता हूं', बोले बागेश्वर धाम के धीरेंद्र शास्त्री |trans-title='Neither am I a saint, nor do I claim to solve any problem', said Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/dhirendra-shastri-of-bageshwar-dham-clarification-on-spreading-superstition-1619100-2023-01-19 |work=] |first1=Lokesh |last1=Chaurasia |first2=Yogesh |last2=Pandey |language=hi |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122065539/https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/dhirendra-shastri-of-bageshwar-dham-clarification-on-spreading-superstition-1619100-2023-01-19 |url-status=live }}</ref> '''Dhirendra Krishna Shastri''' (born 4 July 1996 as '''Dhirendra Krishna Garg''')<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Who is Bageshwar Dham Sarkar aka Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Why he is in news? |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-aka-dhirendra-krishna-shashtri-1674134081-1 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Jagranjosh.com |archive-date=2023-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404083854/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-aka-dhirendra-krishna-shashtri-1674134081-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jagran-20Jan2023"/> also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar or Maharaj,<ref name="timesnownews-23Jan23"/><ref name="abplive-21Jan23">{{cite news |date=21 January 2023 |title=बागेश्वर धाम के पंडित धीरेंद्र शास्त्री की परिवार के साथ अनदेखी तस्वीरें, यहां रहकर हुई थी उनकी |url=https://www.abplive.com/photo-gallery/states/madhya-pradesh-mp-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-old-photos-seen-with-family-and-friends-chhatarpur-ann-2314050 |work=] |first1=Brajesh |last1=Rajput |trans-title=Bageshwar Dham: Unseen pictures of Pandit Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham with his family, he did his schooling while staying here |language=hi |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122071127/https://www.abplive.com/photo-gallery/states/madhya-pradesh-mp-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-old-photos-seen-with-family-and-friends-chhatarpur-ann-2314050 |url-status=live }}</ref> is the ] of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a religious pilgrimage site in ] of ], India.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaushik |first=Rahul |date=22 January 2023 |title=Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, 'Sarkar' of Bageshwar Dham temple challenged to demonstrate his miraculous power |url=https://www.growjustindia.com/india/dhirendra-krishna-shastri-sarkar-of-bageshwar-dham-temple-challenged-to-demonstrate-his-miraculous-power/ |website=GrowJust India |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123201908/https://www.growjustindia.com/india/dhirendra-krishna-shastri-sarkar-of-bageshwar-dham-temple-challenged-to-demonstrate-his-miraculous-power/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shastri recites stories at Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur.<ref name="aajtak.in-19Jan23">{{cite news |date=19 January 2023 |title='ना मैं संत हूं, ना कोई समस्या दूर करने का दावा करता हूं', बोले बागेश्वर धाम के धीरेंद्र शास्त्री |trans-title='Neither am I a saint, nor do I claim to solve any problem', said Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/dhirendra-shastri-of-bageshwar-dham-clarification-on-spreading-superstition-1619100-2023-01-19 |work=] |first1=Lokesh |last1=Chaurasia |first2=Yogesh |last2=Pandey |language=hi |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122065539/https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/dhirendra-shastri-of-bageshwar-dham-clarification-on-spreading-superstition-1619100-2023-01-19 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shastri has been accused of tricking people using ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-05 |title=Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: The Indian guru making headlines over 'miracle' cures |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64480726 |access-date=2023-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-25 |title=Suhani Shah: Everything about "Jadoo Pari," who is popular for reading minds |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/suhani-shah-everything-about-jadoo-pari-who-is-popular-for-reading-minds/articleshow/97305286.cms |access-date=2023-03-30 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mentalists clear the air around the performing art, deem it an illusion |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/mentalists-clear-the-air-around-the-performing-art-deem-it-an-illusion/ar-AA177q5W |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=MSN |language=en-IN}}</ref>


== Early years == == Early years ==
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== Bageshwar Dham Sarkar == == Bageshwar Dham Sarkar ==
Shastri is serving as a ''peethadhishwar'' and chief of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a ] dedicated to ] in Gada village in ], ]. Shastri organises a ] at this dham every Tuesday and Saturday,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-23 |title=Who is Pandit Dhirendra Shastri and why is he famous? |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/who-is-pandit-dhirendra-shastri-and-why-is-he-famous/articleshow/97259653.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-05-25 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> 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 ]. In an interview with ] Shastri said that he is the third generation serving as the chief of the dham after his grandfather and father.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/travel/religious-trip/bageshwar-dham-sarkar-famous-for-dheerendra-shastri-know-about-travel-details/articleshow/97270483.cms |title=बागेश्वर धाम में आखिर क्यों नहीं रह पाते लोग हाजिरी लगाए बिना, जानिए यहां तक जाने का खर्च |website=Navbharat Times |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180812/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/travel/religious-trip/bageshwar-dham-sarkar-famous-for-dheerendra-shastri-know-about-travel-details/articleshow/97270483.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/who-is-bageshwar-dhams-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-find-out-reason-behind-the-recent-controversy-473655 |title=Who is Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Find out reason behind the recent controversy |first=Vibha |last=Sharma |newspaper=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125182314/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/who-is-bageshwar-dhams-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-find-out-reason-behind-the-recent-controversy-473655 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/explained-who-is-bageshwar-dham-krishna-shastri-and-why-is-he-in-news-11674560891348.html |title=Explained: Who is Bageshwar Dham Krishna Shastri and why is he in news? |date=24 January 2023 |newspaper=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180811/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/explained-who-is-bageshwar-dham-krishna-shastri-and-why-is-he-in-news-11674560891348.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shastri is serving as a ''peethadhishwar'' and chief of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a ] dedicated to ] in Gada village in ], ]. Shastri organises a ] at this dham every Tuesday and Saturday,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-23 |title=Who is Pandit Dhirendra Shastri and why is he famous? |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/who-is-pandit-dhirendra-shastri-and-why-is-he-famous/articleshow/97259653.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-05-25 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> 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 ]. In an interview with ] Shastri said that he is the third generation serving as the chief of the dham, after his grandfather and father.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/travel/religious-trip/bageshwar-dham-sarkar-famous-for-dheerendra-shastri-know-about-travel-details/articleshow/97270483.cms |title=बागेश्वर धाम में आखिर क्यों नहीं रह पाते लोग हाजिरी लगाए बिना, जानिए यहां तक जाने का खर्च |website=Navbharat Times |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180812/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/travel/religious-trip/bageshwar-dham-sarkar-famous-for-dheerendra-shastri-know-about-travel-details/articleshow/97270483.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/who-is-bageshwar-dhams-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-find-out-reason-behind-the-recent-controversy-473655 |title=Who is Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Krishna Shastri? Find out reason behind the recent controversy |first=Vibha |last=Sharma |newspaper=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125182314/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/who-is-bageshwar-dhams-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-find-out-reason-behind-the-recent-controversy-473655 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/explained-who-is-bageshwar-dham-krishna-shastri-and-why-is-he-in-news-11674560891348.html |title=Explained: Who is Bageshwar Dham Krishna Shastri and why is he in news? |date=24 January 2023 |newspaper=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180811/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/explained-who-is-bageshwar-dham-krishna-shastri-and-why-is-he-in-news-11674560891348.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Social activities === === 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 ] ] to promote ancient ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bageshwardham.co.in/services/ |title=सेवाएं &#124; गौ रक्षा &#124; वैदिक गुरुकुल |publisher=Bageshwar Dham |date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123101240/https://bageshwardham.co.in/services/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-mps-bageshwar-dham-and-its-head-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-are-trending-5-key-reasons-article-97244704 |title=Why MP's Bageshwar Dham and {{as written|i|t's }} head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri are trending &#124; 5 key reasons |date=January 23, 2023 |work=] |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123101240/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-mps-bageshwar-dham-and-its-head-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-are-trending-5-key-reasons-article-97244704 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 ] ] to promote ancient ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bageshwardham.co.in/services/ |title=सेवाएं &#124; गौ रक्षा &#124; वैदिक गुरुकुल |publisher=Bageshwar Dham |date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123101240/https://bageshwardham.co.in/services/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-mps-bageshwar-dham-and-its-head-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-are-trending-5-key-reasons-article-97244704 |title=Why MP's Bageshwar Dham and {{as written|i|t's }} head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri are trending &#124; 5 key reasons |date=January 23, 2023 |work=] |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123101240/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/why-mps-bageshwar-dham-and-its-head-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-are-trending-5-key-reasons-article-97244704 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Reportedly, Shastri brought 300 people converted to ] back into ] during a ] program in 2021. On January 25, 2023, ] increased the security of Shastri following the ]s received by him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abplive.com/states/madhya-pradesh/mp-police-sit-for-security-of-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-shastri-ann-2316133 |title=बागेश्वर धाम सरकार की सुरक्षा के लिए एसआईटी, स्वागत के लिए उमड़ा भक्तों का सैलाब |first1=Brajesh |last1=Rajput|date=24 January 2023 |work=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125164742/https://www.abplive.com/states/madhya-pradesh/mp-police-sit-for-security-of-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-shastri-ann-2316133 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/01/24/bageshwar-dham-chief-gets-life-threat-chhatarpur-police-form-25-member-probe-team.html |title=Bageshwar Dham chief gets life threat; Chhatarpur police form 25-member probe team |work=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125164745/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/01/24/bageshwar-dham-chief-gets-life-threat-chhatarpur-police-form-25-member-probe-team.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shastri is said to have brought 300 people converted to ] back into ] during a ] program in 2021. On January 25, 2023, ] increased the security of Shastri following the ]s received by him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abplive.com/states/madhya-pradesh/mp-police-sit-for-security-of-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-shastri-ann-2316133 |title=बागेश्वर धाम सरकार की सुरक्षा के लिए एसआईटी, स्वागत के लिए उमड़ा भक्तों का सैलाब |first1=Brajesh |last1=Rajput|date=24 January 2023 |work=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125164742/https://www.abplive.com/states/madhya-pradesh/mp-police-sit-for-security-of-bageshwar-dham-sarkar-dhirendra-shastri-ann-2316133 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/01/24/bageshwar-dham-chief-gets-life-threat-chhatarpur-police-form-25-member-probe-team.html |title=Bageshwar Dham chief gets life threat; Chhatarpur police form 25-member probe team |work=] |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125164745/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/01/24/bageshwar-dham-chief-gets-life-threat-chhatarpur-police-form-25-member-probe-team.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Social media presence === === Social media presence ===
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=== Land dispute === === 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 January 2023 |title=सरकारी जमीन कब्जा करने के आरोप पर धीरेंद्र शास्त्री ने लल्लनटॉप को क्या जवाब दिया? |trans-title=What answer did Dhirendra Shastri give to Lallantop on the allegation of encroachment of government land? |website=] |url=https://www.thelallantop.com/news/post/bageshwar-dham-dhirendra-shastri-on-land-encroachment-lallantop |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180813/https://www.thelallantop.com/news/post/bageshwar-dham-dhirendra-shastri-on-land-encroachment-lallantop |archive-date=25 January 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 January 2023 |title=सरकारी जमीन कब्जा करने के आरोप पर धीरेंद्र शास्त्री ने लल्लनटॉप को क्या जवाब दिया? |trans-title=What answer did Dhirendra Shastri give to Lallantop on the allegation of encroachment of government land? |website=] |url=https://www.thelallantop.com/news/post/bageshwar-dham-dhirendra-shastri-on-land-encroachment-lallantop |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180813/https://www.thelallantop.com/news/post/bageshwar-dham-dhirendra-shastri-on-land-encroachment-lallantop |archive-date=25 January 2023}}</ref>


== Hindu nationalism == == Hindu nationalism ==

Revision as of 09:27, 16 July 2023

Indian Narrator and Hindu priest
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri
File:Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.jpgDhirendra Krishna Shastri in 2023
Personal life
BornDhirendra Krishna Garg
(1996-07-04) 4 July 1996 (age 28)
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
NationalityIndian
Parents
  • Ram Kripal Garg (father)
  • Saroj Garg (mother)
EducationBachelor of Arts
Religious life
ReligionHinduism
Religious career
PostPeethadhish of the "Bageshwar Dham Sarkar"
Websitebageshwardham.co.in

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

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. 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.

Education

Shastri completed his schooling in Ganj village.

Religious career

Shastri is a disciple of Rambhadracharya. 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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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. The police investigated this and found no grounds for prosecution under the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act (2013).

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 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. 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.

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.

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. He also urged that Ramcharitmanas be declared the national scripture of India. 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.

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."

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

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