Bageshwar Dham seer Dhirendra Krishna Shastri used his ongoing Hanumant Katha programme in West Bengal to make remarks on Hindutva, religious conversion, infiltration and nationalism, saying that those who had earlier claimed he would not be allowed to enter the state were now seeing him conduct a religious event there.
Speaking at the programme in Howrah, Shastri said, “Ab Babar wale nahi, Raghuvar wale baithe hain”, referring to the political change he said had taken place in the state. The remarks came during the first edition of his Hanumant Katha in West Bengal, being held from September 4 to 6 at Liluah Workshop Ground.
Shastri Speaks on Bengal Visit
Shastri said his presence in West Bengal was significant because, according to him, there had previously been claims that he would not be allowed to enter the state.
He pointed to the ongoing religious programme as evidence that he was now able to hold the event in Bengal, where large numbers of devotees have been attending the three-day gathering.
The event has attracted political attention as well as religious interest, particularly after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the programme and met Shastri on its opening day.
Calls for Larger Gita Recitation
During his address, Shastri also spoke about collective recitation of the Bhagavad Gita in West Bengal.
He referred to an earlier event in which around five lakh people participated in Gita recitation and said the number should eventually be increased to 11 lakh participants.
He called for greater visibility of Sanatan cultural traditions and the chanting of Lord Ram’s name in Bengal.
Remarks on Border Areas
Shastri said he wanted to conduct Hanumant Katha programmes in areas close to West Bengal’s international borders.
While discussing these regions, he raised the issues of alleged religious conversions and infiltration and called for national security interests to be given priority.
He also said that social change should not be viewed only through the lens of a change in political power, but should include what he described as changes in people's ideological and religious outlook.
These were Shastri's views expressed during the religious programme and should not be treated as official findings about conversion or illegal immigration.
Says His Fight Is Not Against Any Religion
Addressing the controversy surrounding his statements, Shastri said his criticism was not directed against any particular religion.
He said his concern was with people who, according to him, live in India but express views he considers hostile to the country.
He appealed to Hindus in Bengal to remain aware and organised and spoke about protecting the cultural significance associated with Lord Ram and Goddess Kali.
Appeals for Action on Conversion
Shastri also appealed to the state government to pay attention to cases of religious conversion.
He said people who wished to return to their original cultural or religious traditions should have an easier path to what he described as “ghar wapsi”.
The remarks form part of Shastri's broader public messaging around Hindutva and cultural identity. The legal and factual status of any individual conversion cases was not established by the statements made at the event.
Suvendu Adhikari Attends Programme
The presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the event added a political dimension to the religious gathering.
According to reports, Adhikari met Shastri on the stage during the programme. The chief minister spoke about the government's role in protecting West Bengal and Indian culture during the interaction.
The event is being held in Liluah, Howrah, from September 4 to September 6, with Shastri delivering the Hanumant Katha and conducting associated religious programmes.
Religious Event Draws Political Attention
Shastri's first Hanumant Katha in West Bengal has consequently become more than a religious gathering, with his comments on culture, nationalism, conversion and border security attracting political attention.
His remarks about being previously prevented from entering Bengal also reflect the political sensitivity surrounding his visit.
With the programme continuing through September 6, further statements from the religious leader and political responses to them are likely to remain a focus of discussion in West Bengal.
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