Controversy around Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, bageshwar dham (who is he ?)

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Dham, a religious center located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, India, has been the center of controversy in recent years. The center is run by a group of Hindu religious leaders and teachers, and is known for its practices of black magic and animal sacrifices. Complaints have been made by local residents, who allege that the center has been involved in illegal activities such as human trafficking and money laundering. In addition, the center has been accused of promoting superstitious beliefs, and using its influence to threaten and intimidate local villagers. The allegations have been denied by the center's leaders, who have instead stated that their practices are based on traditional Hindu teachings. The controversy surrounding the center has been ongoing for years, and continues to be a source of contention between local villagers and the center's leaders.

The controversy

The current controversy involving Dhirendra Krishna Shastri erupted after the ‘Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti’ led by Prof Shyam Manav accused him of spreading superstitions in Nagpur where he was holding a ‘Ramkatha darbar’ earlier this month.

The Maharashtra-based anti-superstition organisation sought action against him under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

The Samiti also promised to pay Shastri Rs 30 lakh if he succeeded in convincing their panel of “independent, impartial observers” of his miraculous powers. The samiti alleged that Shastri “ran away from Nagpur” after he was thrown the challenge.

Shastri, meanwhile, challenged the committee to come to Raipur (Chhattisgarh)—the site of his next camp.

Stating that he has no supernatural powers and that all powers belong to lord Hanuman, Shastri was seen interacting with devotees in the presence of the national media.

Soon videos started doing rounds on social media, showing him calling journalists from the crowd, sharing information about them and their family members.

The reactions of some apparently surprised journalists led to widespread criticism with some critics accusing them of “unprofessionalism”, claiming that all information can be easily accessed from social media accounts. Some “mind-readers” and sceptics were also seen challenging him in studios with similar tricks.

As the godman from Madhya Pradesh was is also accused of pushing the religious conversion issue (also one of the BJP’s poll agendas), Shastri and his supporters claimed that he was being targeted because he was challenging religious conversions and doing ‘ghar wapsi