Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s response to Shyam Manav
Nagpur, Maharashtra – Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham issued an open challenge from Nagpur to the critics of Hindu Dharma. Responding to a challenge posed by Shyam Manav of the Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANiS), he stated, “Anyone who wishes may come to our darbar; we will demonstrate our divine knowledge.”
A large number of devotees gathered at Reshimbagh Ground to express their support.
Nagpur – Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri has thrown an open challenge to rationalist leader and Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti chief Shyam Manav. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Dhirendra Shastri invited Shyam Manav to attend his ongoing Ram Katha program in… pic.twitter.com/6tuk0EyBXA
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A ‘Shri Ram Katha’ programme was held at Reshimbagh Ground in Nagpur from 26 to 30 April. In connection with this event, Shyam Manav had challenged Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri with a prize of ₹80 lakh. He challenged Pandit Dhirendra Shastri to correctly identify details such as names, fathers’ names, ages, and mobile numbers of 10 individuals, as well as identifying 10 objects kept in a closed room as a test of his extra-sensory ability. A minimum accuracy of 90% was stipulated, with the process to be conducted in the presence of journalists in Nagpur.
ANiS stated that if Shastri succeeds, he would be awarded ₹80 lakh; otherwise, it would be considered an exploitation of people’s sentiments. Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has accepted this challenge.
Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri said,
“We are currently in Nagpur, not in Madhya Pradesh. We are here not for an hour, but for five days. We are present at the katha venue. The state is theirs, the city is theirs, and the stage is also theirs. I am alone. Anyone who wishes may come to the darbar. Whatever knowledge and power we have, we will demonstrate. We are not magicians; we will guide people as per divine inspiration. If they come, we will guide them as well.”
Propagation of Sanatan Dharma is not superstition
A similar controversy had arisen in January 2023, when Shyam Manav had filed a complaint alleging that Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri was promoting superstition.
However, Nagpur Police had clarified that there was nothing in the video that promoted superstition or constituted an offence under the law. Following this, Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri had stated that promoting Sanatan Dharma is not superstition.
Devotees in Nagpur have also stated that they will not tolerate any disrespect towards saints. Police investigations have likewise indicated that there is nothing unlawful in the activities of Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.
