Baba Shastri Wants to Make India a Hindu Nation through Ideological Revolution
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, the Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham, on Wednesday expressed his commitment to making India a Hindu nation. During an exclusive interview with India TV at the ongoing 'Satya Sanatan Conclave', Shastri said that his mission is focused on unifying the nation through ideological revolution.
"We are not going to achieve our goal of creating a Hindu nation through armed struggle," he stated, emphasizing instead an "ideological revolution." Shastri also asserted that his initiatives aim at uniting the entire country under the banner of Sanatan Dharma.
Shastri extended support to the demand to ban Muslim traders from participating in the grand religious event Mahakombh 2025. He argued that those known for spitting and urinating on food items should be banned, citing poor treatment of Hindu traders worldwide. The Acharya also touched upon the idea of banning the Waqf Board, a holy institution linked to Islam.
On the topic of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent statement on the temple-mosque issue, Shastri stated that everyone has the right to express their opinion. He also questioned why many politicians remain by his side.
Shastri defended saffron-clad individuals in positions of power, stating that the color does not represent a piece of cloth but rather an ideology. The Acharya also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for consecrating the Ram Temple, saying it was a "correct step".
On another topic, Shastri opposed the idea of conducting a caste census in the country, stating that if there are two main castes—rich and poor—it would drastically alter the nation's direction and condition. The Peethadhishwar stressed his focus on creating a unified India where people can serve as 'Gurus' rather than 'Disciples'.
India is not an isolated entity, Shastri said; instead, it should consider itself part of a larger global family. However, he emphasized that only those who love and work for the nation are its true members, adding, "If someone does something to harm our country, then they're not ours or anyone else's."