Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, known as Baba Bageshwar, has commenced a significant 10-day padayatra, or walkathon, spanning Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Launched on Friday, November 7, the 145-kilometer journey is explicitly dedicated to fostering Hindu unity, eradicating caste-based discrimination, and championing messages of peace, nationalism, and Sanatan Dharma values. The march is scheduled to conclude on November 16.
Shastri articulated the core purpose of the padayatra, stating it’s a call for awakening among Hindus. He stressed the need to end casteism and discrimination, advocating for nationalism over divisive practices. The primary aim, he explained, is to ensure the safety of Hindu children and prevent the ‘Islamization’ of the country, promoting harmony and preventing communal discord.
With approximately 40,000 participants registered from various parts of India, each day of the padayatra is marked by patriotic and religious observances. Daily rituals include reciting the national anthem and the Hanuman Chalisa, followed by seven pledges designed to reinforce Hindu solidarity and dismantle caste barriers.
Baba Bageshwar clarified that the march is not an act of aggression against any community but a proactive effort in support of Hindus. He emphasized the mission to reach every village and street to advocate for Hindu unity and the preservation of Sanatan values, asserting that the fight is for all Hindus.
Invitations have been extended to leaders of all political parties who hold a passion for Hindutva, encouraging their participation. Shastri highlighted the patriotic fervor driving the event, stating that those who cherish Hindutva, Sanatan, and the Indian flag are joining. He described the padayatra as a religious endeavor, not a political one, aimed at benefiting the nation’s vast population.
The march also carries historical resonance, with Shastri referencing a past event in Delhi on November 7, 1966, where he claimed bullets were fired at saints and cows. He framed the current journey as a means to overcome historical grievances, end casteism, and promote brotherhood among Hindus. Participants are urged to take pledges, including commitments to Hindu unity, resistance to religious conversion, the abolition of untouchability, and a firm stance against any threats to their collective solidarity.