A recent visit by religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri to Raipur has ignited a significant political and social controversy, centering on two key incidents: his mode of travel and a gesture of reverence by a police officer.
The Incident at Raipur Airport
The controversy erupted on December 27, 2025, following the circulation of a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The footage showed a uniformed police officer, reportedly on duty at the Raipur airport, removing his shoes and then touching the feet of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri as a mark of respect. This act, performed while the officer was in official uniform, quickly became the focal point of public debate.
Compounding the situation was the revelation about Shastri's travel arrangements. The religious figure arrived in the Chhattisgarh capital aboard a government or chartered aircraft. The use of state resources for the travel of a private religious personality added fuel to the growing political fire, with questions being raised about protocol and propriety.
Political Reactions and the "Faith" Defense
The incident drew immediate criticism from opposition parties, who questioned the appropriateness of a public servant in uniform displaying personal religious devotion while on duty. They also scrutinized the use of the government aircraft.
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mounted a strong defense. Party spokespersons characterized the police officer's act of touching Shastri's feet as an expression of "personal faith." They argued that the gesture was a matter of individual belief and should not be politicized. Furthermore, the BJP turned the criticism back on the Opposition, accusing them of being against the Sanatana Dharma (eternal order or Hinduism) for objecting to the display of devotion.
Broader Implications and Public Discourse
The episode has sparked a wider conversation on several intertwined issues in the public sphere:
- The intersection of duty and personal faith: The debate centers on where the line should be drawn for public servants between their official responsibilities and personal religious expressions while in uniform.
- Use of state resources: The arrangement of a government aircraft for the travel has led to discussions about the rules governing such facilities and their allocation.
- Political polarization: The swift and starkly divided reactions from political parties highlight how religious symbolism and actions are often leveraged within India's political discourse.
The video, originally posted by user @imayankindian, continues to be widely shared, keeping the controversy alive. As of now, the Chhattisgarh government has not issued an official statement regarding the use of the aircraft or commenting on the conduct of the police officer involved. The row underscores the sensitive and often volatile mix of religion, politics, and public administration in contemporary India.
