Raipur, Dec 27, 2025: A video showing Bageshwar Dham head and spiritual preacher Dhirendra Shastri arriving in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur has sparked a debate on social media, raising questions about the use of government resources and the conduct of uniformed personnel. The incident has drawn reactions from both the Congress and BJP, highlighting the sensitive intersection of faith, governance, and public perception in the state.

The footage, which has gone viral, reportedly captures Shastri alighting from a government aircraft on Thursday, December 25. In the video, an on-duty police officer is seen first saluting the preacher, then removing his cap and shoes, and finally touching Shastri’s feet in an act traditionally associated with reverence in Hindu culture. The preacher’s visit was accompanied by Chhattisgarh minister and BJP leader Guru Khushwant Saheb, according to reports by PTI. Shastri was in the state to attend a religious discourse in Bhilai town, Durg district, part of a larger itinerary for spiritual outreach and events in the region.

The emergence of the video ignited a controversy almost immediately, with online debates centering around two key issues: the use of a government plane for the preacher’s travel and the appropriateness of a police officer performing a religious gesture while on duty. Critics argued that the incident blurred the line between official duties and personal or religious reverence, while supporters framed the gesture as a personal act of faith.

Congress Criticises the Use of Public Resources

The Chhattisgarh Congress condemned the event, alleging that deploying a government aircraft for Shastri’s visit constituted a misuse of public funds. Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the party’s communication department, said the preacher’s use of state resources was a “wastage of public money” and amounted to misuse of the state exchequer. Shukla also criticised Shastri for allegedly acting “against the country’s composite culture,” claiming that he does not hold the status of a religious head or recognized peethadhishwar of an official shrine or ashram.

The Congress raised concerns over precedent and propriety, suggesting that allowing spiritual leaders to use government aircraft and receive gestures of reverence from uniformed personnel could open the door for similar requests in the future, potentially compromising the neutrality of state machinery. Party sources noted that such acts could be seen as favouring a particular religious figure, which may be perceived as contradictory to principles of secular governance.

BJP Frames Gesture as Personal Faith

In response, the Chhattisgarh BJP defended both Shastri’s use of the government aircraft and the police officer’s conduct. Santosh Pandey, the state party chief spokesperson, described the police officer’s gesture of touching the preacher’s feet as an act of personal faith, arguing that there was nothing objectionable about it. He stated, “Why does it upset the Congress when a police officer bows to a guru out of personal faith? Don’t Muslim railway employees and airport staff offer namaz at railway stations and airports?”

The BJP emphasized that Shastri’s visit was not a state function, but a private religious engagement. The party portrayed the Congress criticism as politically motivated, asserting that it reflected intolerance towards Sanatan Dharma and traditional Hindu practices. The BJP’s position also underlined that gestures of respect performed voluntarily by government employees, outside the scope of official duties, should be considered personal rather than institutional.

Details of the Visit

Shastri’s visit to Raipur and Bhilai coincided with religious discourses and public engagements planned across the region. According to officials, Shastri was received at Birsa Munda International Airport, after which he proceeded to Bhilai by road. The preacher is known for his spiritual teachings, discourses on religious texts, and guidance on socio-spiritual matters.

In the video, the police officer is initially seen performing a standard salute, but the subsequent actions—removing his cap and shoes and touching the preacher’s feet—were interpreted by viewers in two contrasting ways: as a traditional gesture of respect for a spiritual figure and, simultaneously, as a potential breach of professional protocol for a uniformed officer on duty.

Officials from the Chhattisgarh police department have not yet released a formal statement regarding the officer’s conduct, though sources indicate that the department may review the incident to ensure that guidelines governing conduct and secular impartiality for uniformed personnel are maintained.

Public Reaction and Social Media Debate

Social media platforms witnessed immediate debate following the video’s circulation. Some users criticised the Congress for attempting to politicize a religious gesture, while others questioned the state’s decision to provide government transport for a private religious leader. Memes, opinion threads, and videos comparing this incident with other instances of personal faith by government employees circulated widely.

Analysts note that the incident highlights a delicate balancing act between freedom of religious expression and the responsibility of state functionaries to maintain neutrality. While individuals are free to practice faith, the use of government resources and the participation of on-duty officers in religious gestures risk being interpreted as institutional endorsement.

Legal and Administrative Implications

From a legal standpoint, the use of government aircraft and resources for personal or religious purposes can be scrutinized under rules governing official travel, expenditure, and allocation of state assets. If the trip was arranged using state funds, questions may arise regarding the justification and approval procedures followed by the Chhattisgarh government.

Administrative experts point out that uniformed personnel are expected to maintain professional impartiality while on duty, and any act that could be construed as favouring an individual—especially a religious figure—may be subject to internal review. However, officials also note that gestures performed voluntarily and outside formal duties fall into a grey area, making it a complex issue for administrative and legal interpretation.

Political Ramifications

The incident has intensified political discourse in Chhattisgarh, with Congress using it to highlight alleged misuse of state resources and BJP framing it as a defense of religious freedom and personal faith. Analysts suggest that the timing—just ahead of the New Year and upcoming local events—has amplified the political sensitivity.

The controversy reflects broader national debates in India regarding the role of religion in public life, secular governance, and the boundaries of personal faith for public servants. In a state like Chhattisgarh, where political narratives often intersect with cultural and religious identities, such incidents can quickly escalate into widely debated issues.

Conclusion

The video of Dhirendra Shastri’s arrival in Raipur has sparked intense discussion over government resources, protocol, and religious gestures by on-duty personnel. While the Congress has criticized the use of state aircraft and the officer’s actions, the BJP has defended both as matters of personal faith and religious practice. The incident underscores the continuing tension between administrative neutrality and religious expression, as well as the political implications of symbolic gestures in the public sphere.

As the debate continues, the Chhattisgarh administration may need to review guidelines for the use of state assets and conduct of officials during interactions with religious or public figures, balancing respect for faith with adherence to professional and secular protocols. The controversy is likely to remain a talking point in the state’s political discourse in the weeks to come.