Islamophobic Remarks :
Self-described Godman Dhirendra Shastri asserts to have supernatural abilities, including the capacity to read minds. He is mostly a Katha Vachak who instructs his followers in religion via the telling of stories and parables.
He was an auto-rickshaw driver before rising to prominence as a Hindu guru. He rose to political prominence thanks to the backing of numerous BJP and Congress Party officials, among others. Alok Chaturvedi, a Congress politician from Chhatarpur (New Delhi), staged a three-day program in April that was aired on Aastha TV, and it seems that this is when Baba’s popularity peaked after 2021. This was before the Covid lockdown. His popularity expanded thanks to the telecast. Since then, Sanskar TV has shown his programs on a regular basis.
BJP leaders like Manoj Tiwari, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Madhya Pradesh, Home Minister Narottam Mishra, three-time Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP, and Congress MLA Vikas Upadhyay, etc. are among his devotees.
He has publicly disclosed his penchant for bulldozer politics, which the Hindu far-right hails as a means to a ‘final solution’ for Muslims in India. Dhirendra Shastri aka Bulldozer Baba urged the Hindus to unite and buy bulldozers, demolish the homes of ‘stone pelters’…India belongs to Hindus…’
He was observed joyfully applauding and laughing while Muslim homes in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, were being demolished as a result of anti-Muslim violence.
In some speeches, he urged for arming Hindus. ‘Mala ke sath sath bhala ki hinduon ko zaroorat hai’.(Hindus are required to have spears along with a string of beads (used for prayer).
“Tum mera sath do hum Hindu Rashtra banaenge, ab chudiyan pahan kar nahi baithna ghar me, radhe radhe kahne se dhrm nahi bachnaa sriman ( Keep supporting me, and I will give you Hindu Rashtra, don’t sit in homes wearing bangles (like women); reciting Radhe Radhe won’t save the religion (from Muslims and Christians)”
Welcoming the Court order regarding the Gyanvapi Mosque of Kashi in Uttar Pradesh, he exclaimed,‘Abhi Mathura baqi hai ‘ (now is the turn of Mathura. Mosques at these places are in close proximity with Hindu temples and have been under attack from Hindu extremists).
His words, which are laced with hatred, frequently hit the press. Ramcharitmanas Rashtriya Pustak Ho, Hindu Ek Ho, and Bharat Hindu Rashtra Ho Hindus, unite! India should adopt the Ramcharitmanas as its constitution and be referred to as the Hindu Rashtra.
He openly threatens Muslims by saying, “Bharat me rahna hai to Sita Ram kahna hai (If you want to live in India then say Sita Ram). Qaede me rahoge to faede me rahoge (For your own good, Stay in limits )”.
Because of his conversion campaigns, he is revered among Hindus (Ghar wapsi ). One such conversion was broadcast live on the country’s major media networks.
A assumed Muslim boy named Muhammad Asim was presented in one of his presentations. This kid insisted on meeting Baba, Baba said into the microphone. The child responds “no” when the man asks if the child recognizes him. Yet, Baba enjoys including Muslims in his programs and showcasing their submission to him. He celebrates the presence of Muslims as a Sanatana/Hindu success. The phrase “Hum ne to Shakti dikha kar surrender karaya” (I have made them surrender by showing my power).
He is highly divisive due to his beliefs in witchcraft, black magic, and superstitious practices, all of which are forbidden but common in India. He was accused of propagating superstitious ideas in Nagpur, Maharashtra, by anti-superstition activist Shyam Manav. Mr. Manav requested legal action against Baba in accordance with the 1954 Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act and the 2013 Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, both of which forbid superstitious activities. The Nagpur police, however, gave him a clean bill of health. [iv] It makes sense considering that in his presentations, uniformed police officers bow before him.
Amidst controversy, several BJP leaders have come forward in his support, including far-right leaders like Griraj Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Kailash Vijayvargiya.