Bageshwar Dham chief Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has come out in support of spiritual preacher Devkinandan Thakur's son, Devansh Thakur, amid social media criticism over his public debut as a Bhagwat narrator. Addressing devotees during a religious discourse in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, Shastri questioned why hereditary continuity is accepted in other professions but debated in religious traditions.

"If a doctor's son can become a doctor, a farmer's son a farmer, a police officer's son a police officer, a politician's son a politician and an actor's son an actor, then why should there be any objection if a storyteller's son becomes a storyteller?" Shastri said while responding to the ongoing online controversy.

Debate Over Devansh's Public Appearance

The remarks come after 14-year-old Devansh Thakur, son of renowned Bhagwat narrator Devkinandan Thakur, recently delivered a public Bhagwat recital during a religious programme in Somnath, Gujarat. Videos from the event, showing the teenager performing religious recitations while his father watched from the stage, quickly went viral on social media.

The clips triggered mixed reactions online. While many devotees described it as the continuation of a spiritual tradition and family values, others questioned whether it reflected growing nepotism within religious institutions.

Call for Unity Among Hindus

During his three-day religious discourse at Tirupati Balaji, Dhirendra Shastri also appealed to the Hindu community to remain united and avoid internal divisions.

He said the biggest challenge facing the community today is that "Hindus are opposing fellow Hindus." According to him, public ridicule of saints, religious leaders and spiritual institutions weakens Sanatan Dharma from within.

Shastri urged devotees to respect spiritual leaders even if they disagree with them.

"If someone does not like a particular discourse or preacher, they are free not to attend. But mocking saints and religious storytellers publicly is not the right approach," he said.

Respect Religious Traditions, Says Shastri

Drawing comparisons with other faiths, the spiritual leader remarked that followers of other religions generally avoid publicly insulting their religious figures. He appealed to Hindus to show similar respect towards saints, temples and monasteries.

According to Shastri, preserving harmony within the community is essential for safeguarding Sanatan traditions and cultural values.

Devkinandan Thakur Earlier Responded to Criticism

Earlier, Devkinandan Thakur had also defended his son against criticism, saying every parent passes on values and traditions to their children.

Questioning the criticism, he said religion is not a business and asked whether people making such comments truly understand the significance of spiritual learning.

He also revealed that his 14-year-old son does not own a mobile phone and has been raised with religious values from an early age.

"If children are taken to temples and spiritual gatherings from childhood, they naturally learn respect, discipline and good values. These are the संस्कार every parent should strive to give," he had said.

Social Media Debate Continues

The controversy has reignited discussions over whether religious storytelling should remain a family tradition or be viewed through the lens of merit and public acceptance. While supporters see Devansh's appearance as part of a long-standing spiritual legacy, critics argue that opportunities within the religious sphere should be based on individual recognition rather than family lineage.

Despite the debate, Dhirendra Shastri's remarks have added a prominent voice to the discussion, emphasizing respect for tradition while calling for greater unity within the Hindu community.