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.

The BJP has continued to project Hindutva as one of the central pillars of its political campaign. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior party leaders have accused the opposition of adopting what they describe as "soft Hindutva" only because of the approaching elections. BJP leaders argue that the opposition's recent emphasis on Sanatan traditions lacks consistency and is driven by electoral considerations rather than ideology.

At the same time, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has noticeably altered his political messaging in recent months. While continuing to champion the party's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) social coalition, he has increasingly linked socialism with Sanatan values. Speaking at public events, Akhilesh has asserted that "Samajwad" represents the true spirit of Sanatan by promoting equality and welfare for every section of society.

The Samajwadi Party's outreach has also included visits to religious figures and temples, with the party preparing to launch a statewide PDA Rath Yatra from a prominent religious location later this year. Political observers view these moves as an attempt to expand the party's support base beyond its traditional caste coalition while countering the BJP's dominance over religious narratives.

The Congress has adopted a similar approach in Uttar Pradesh. State Congress president Ajay Rai has repeatedly highlighted his religious identity and has participated in temple visits and public religious events. Party leaders believe that emphasising Sanatan traditions could help counter the BJP's allegations that the opposition is anti-Hindu while allowing the Congress to reconnect with sections of the electorate that have drifted away in recent elections.

Political analysts believe the shift reflects a broader transformation in Uttar Pradesh's electoral landscape since 2014. With the BJP consistently consolidating a large section of Hindu voters, opposition parties appear to be balancing their traditional social justice and secular narratives with greater emphasis on religious and cultural symbolism.

The BJP, however, remains unconvinced by the opposition's strategy. Party leaders continue to accuse both the SP and Congress of pursuing "appeasement politics" in the past while adopting religious symbolism only in the run-up to elections. The party has intensified its criticism through public campaigns and protests, arguing that its commitment to Hindutva has remained consistent over the years.

As political activity gathers pace ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Sanatan politics is expected to remain a key campaign theme alongside governance, economic development and social welfare. Whether the opposition's evolving strategy succeeds in broadening its electoral appeal or the BJP retains its advantage on the Hindutva plank is likely to become one of the defining questions of the upcoming election battle.

Lead: A Shocking Act of Desperation

In a bizarre incident highlighting the intense pressure of India's competitive education system, a 24-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district, Suraj Bhaskar, allegedly severed four toes from his left foot to qualify for the disability quota in MBBS admissions via NEET. This January 2026 case, uncovered just days ago, underscores the extremes aspirants go to amid reservation in India debates. As investigations reveal self-inflicted harm driven by frustration, it reignites discussions on how reservation in India has evolved and influenced political landscapes, including the rise of Hindutva politics.

The Uttar Pradesh Incident: What Happened?

Suraj, a D-Pharma graduate preparing for NEET, initially claimed attackers assaulted him in his fields at midnight, leaving him unconscious and maimed. Police, however, found evidence of self-injury: anesthesia vials, syringes, and a saw near the scene. His diary entries vowed MBBS admission "at any cost" in 2026, and his girlfriend's statements exposed the plan. Previously, he attempted to secure disability forms at BHU in October 2025 but failed.

Now stable in hospital, Suraj faces charges for misleading authorities. This event, trending online, exposes mental health strains from reservation pressures, where disability quota offers a 5% edge in medical seats for those with at least 40% certified disability.

Roots and Evolution of Reservation in India

Reservation in India stems from combating caste-based discrimination, formalized post-independence. The Constitution's Articles 15 and 16 enable quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and later Other Backward Classes (OBC).

A pivotal shift occurred with the 1979 Mandal Commission, recommending 27% OBC quotas. Implemented in 1990 by PM V.P. Singh, it sparked anti-reservation protests, including self-immolations like Rajeev Goswami's. The Supreme Court's 1992 Indra Sawhney ruling capped quotas at 50% and excluded the "creamy layer."

By 2026, reservations stand at:

- SC: 15%

- ST: 7.5%

- OBC: 27%

- EWS: 10%

Disability quotas, under the 2016 RPwD Act, mandate 4-5% reservations in jobs and education, ensuring inclusion for benchmark disabilities.

How Reservation Shaped Hindutva Politics

Reservation politics, or "Mandal politics," fragmented votes along caste lines, boosting parties like SP and RJD. In response, "Kamandal politics" – symbolizing religious unity – emerged via Hindutva, promoted by BJP and RSS.

Hindutva unites Hindus beyond caste, exemplified by the 1990s Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Post-2014, under PM Modi, it dominated, with Yogi Adityanath's 2017 UP win shifting from caste to religious mobilization. This strategy secured northern states, reclaiming Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh by 2023.

Expert perspective: Political analyst Yogendra Yadav simulates, "Reservation exposes inequalities, but Hindutva reframes them as cultural threats, consolidating power."

Why It Matters Now: Takeaways for Readers

In 2026, amid rising NEET competition, such frauds question reservation integrity. Actionable insights:

- Verify disabilities through NTA-certified centers to avoid scams.

- Seek mental health support for exam stress via helplines like AASRA.

- Advocate for merit-inclusive reforms to balance equity.