Bageshwar Dham’s Pandit Dhirendra Shastri landed in Raipur using a Chhattisgarh government plane for a religious programme, sparking debate over taxpayer-funded travel and the conduct of a police officer seen saluting and touching his feet.
Baba Bageshwar travels to Raipur using government aircraft.
Raipur: A video showing Bageshwar Dham’s Pandit Dhirendra Shastri arriving in Raipur using a Chhattisgarh government aircraft has sparked widespread discussion. Shastri, also known as Baba Bageshwar, reached the city to participate in a Hanumant Katha at Jayanti Stadium in Bhilai, scheduled from December 25 to 29. The aircraft had first carried a state minister from Chhattisgarh to Satna before bringing Shastri to Raipur. The incident drew attention not only because of his mode of travel but also due to the behaviour of a police officer present at the airport.
Visuals from the airport show a police officer removing his shoes and cap before touching Shastri’s feet, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media. Technical Education Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb was seen stepping out of the aircraft prior to Shastri. The conduct of the police officer prompted questions about the ethics of uniformed officials performing such acts for a religious preacher, who holds no constitutional or official position.
The use of a government aircraft for Shastri’s travel triggered sharp criticism online. Social media users raised concerns that public funds are meant for administrative and official purposes, not for facilitating travel of religious figures. Many argued that taxpayer money should not be used for such purposes, highlighting the issue of misuse of state resources. Comments on the video described the act as a collapse of constitutional morality and criticised the combination of state aircraft and police servility for a religious spectacle.
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Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh stated that the officer involved was not in full uniform at the time and had already removed his cap and shoes. A preliminary review reportedly found no violation of service rules, and no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer as of now. Authorities emphasised that the conduct was not in complete breach of protocol, although public opinion remains divided.
The incident also drew political attention. Chhattisgarh Congress communication head Sushil Anand Shukla alleged misuse of government resources, questioning the justification for a state aircraft for a religious storyteller. Shukla argued that Shastri is not a recognised religious head and such use of public funds is unwarranted. In response, BJP spokesperson Devlal Thakur defended the move, stating that religious preachers cannot be categorised by Congress, and asserted that BJP supports Hindu figures involved in faith-based programmes.
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After completing the second day of the programme in Bhilai, Shastri reportedly left for Mumbai and is expected to return before the Hanumant Katha concludes on December 29. The preacher continues to draw large crowds, while discussions over the propriety of his travel and the conduct of officials remain ongoing.
Baba Bageshwar, or Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, is a Hindu spiritual leader from Madhya Pradesh who heads Bageshwar Dham. Known for his religious discourses and faith-based practices, he attracts thousands of devotees but has also faced scrutiny for debates surrounding superstition and belief. His programmes often draw political and public attention due to his large following.
