Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh – Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has ignited a fresh controversy by launching a thinly veiled attack on influential religious leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, questioning the commercialization of faith by modern spiritual preachers.

Speaking at a public meeting in Chhatarpur—the home district of Shastri’s famous Bageshwar Dham—Yadav drew a sharp contrast between traditional saints and what he termed “new industrialist babas.”

Without naming anyone directly, but with his location making the target clear, Yadav stated, “I hear that there are some new babas who have come up. They are telling stories (Kathas), and I hear that a booking for one story costs as much as ₹50 lakh.”

He continued his critique by idealizing the past, saying, “Our old saints and mahatmas never took anything. If someone offered something with devotion (dakshina), they would accept it. But they never demanded a fixed price for their sermons.”

Yadav accused these modern, high-profile preachers of turning spirituality into a business. “These babas have become industrialists,” he declared, suggesting that their focus has shifted from spiritual guidance to financial gain.

The remarks are seen as a direct challenge to the immense popularity and influence of Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, whose events draw massive crowds and significant media attention. By delivering this criticism in Shastri’s own stronghold, Akhilesh Yadav is directly engaging with a powerful religious figure and raising questions about the intersection of faith, money, and influence in modern India.

Read More: “Saints or Industrialists?” Akhilesh Yadav Blasts Preachers Charging ₹50 Lakh in Bageshwar Dham’s Backyard