Bageshwar Yatra: Baba Dhirendra Shastri Issues Stark Warning — “Wake Up Today or Your Neighbourhoods Will Hear Bombs Tomorrow

Palwal (Haryana): Hindu preacher Baba Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, leader of the Sanatan Hindu Ekta Padayatra, on Tuesday delivered a hard-hitting speech in Palwal in which he urged Hindus to unite and issued a pointed warning to critics and what he described as “non-Sanatan” elements.

Shastri’s procession entered the Hodal assembly area after starting from Senior Secondary School in Palwal. The marchers spent the night in Mitrol village, where the evening programme included bhajans and discourses. Addressing supporters, Shastri said the pilgrimage aims to bring together “150 crore Sanatan Indians” and warned that failure to “wake up” now would bring grave consequences.

“Wake up today or you will have to regret it later,” he told the crowd. “If you wake up now, your children will not hear the sound of bombs. If you do not wake up, tomorrow bombs will go off in every neighbourhood of yours,” the preacher was quoted as saying.

Shastri also criticised television commentators and political opponents who had condemned the yatra. Referring to those who opposed the march, he said their silence after recent security incidents exposed their true loyalties and accused some detractors of being “Bangladeshi” — a charge likely to inflame communal tensions.

At one point he declared, “We have tied the shroud on our heads. Do what you please — until we unite 150 crore Sanatan Indians, we will not rest.” He framed the padayatra as a defence of cultural and constitutional values and invoked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the constitution in his remarks.

The yatra’s organisers say the event emphasises discipline and community service — volunteers sweep roads, provide food and manage logistics — but critics and some civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the march’s rhetoric and potential to polarise communities.

Reactions and Concerns
Local authorities are reported to be monitoring the march closely. Security analysts and community leaders expressed concern at the language used by Shastri. “Threatening rhetoric — whether rhetorical or literal — can inflame passions and must be handled cautiously by both organisers and security agencies,” one law-and-order source said on condition of anonymity.

Human-rights activists and opposition politicians have called for calm and urged organisers to avoid incendiary slogans. They also urged police to ensure that freedom of assembly does not cross into hate speech or incitement.

What’s Next
Shastri announced plans for further large gatherings, saying the padayatra would culminate in Vrindavan on 16 November, where he said a major event would be held. Authorities have said they will continue to keep a close watch on security in the region ahead of the Vrindavan gathering.