WATCH: 'Kuch Logo Ka Pet Kharab Hai,' Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Shastri Defends Spiritual Leader Premanand Amid Controversy

Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh): Bageshwar Dham's famous storyteller Dhirendra Shastri has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding spiritual leader Premanand.

Speaking during his Divya Darbar on Wednesday night, Shastri strongly defended Premanand Ji. He pronounced him a preacher devoted to spirituality and bhajans. He said that those opposing him are suffering from ‘pet ki bimari’ or ‘stomach problems.’ 

He further said that in the past, some people considered him a ‘troublemaker’ due to his open and fearless speeches. 

"People still shout 'Hindu-Hindu' in fear, but I speak openly from the stage," he said.

‘There are good and bad people in all religions’

Shastri further criticised politicians who divide people based on caste, discouraged casteism and encouraged nationalism.

He also questioned the idea of ‘Ganga-Jamuni,’ asking why it couldn’t include the Saraswati river as well. 

"When there are ‘Hawas Ke Pujari (Priests of Lust)’, why can't there be a ‘Hawas ke Maulvi?’ he remarked.

He emphasised the need to balance spirituality with strength, saying that now the citizens must have both ‘mala (prayer beads) and ‘bhala (spear).’

He added that when people began criticising even Premanand Ji, he realized that speaking the truth in today’s times is difficult. 

"Not everyone is bad. Every religion has good and bad people. But even if there is one honest person in a crowd of wrongdoers, all eyes go to him," he concluded.

What was the controversy?

A devotee put forward the issue of weak marriages, either arranged or love, in front of spiritual leader Premanand, and asked the reason behind it. 

To this Premanand ji said, “Western culture has taken over Indian kids. If they are habitual of eating at 4 different restaurants, then how are they going to settle for home cooked food? Similarly, if today's boys and girls are dating multiple people, then how would they settle for one partner?”

This statement of his has gone viral on social media, drawing massive criticism and misleading allegations.