CHANDIGARH: A series of viral videos showing Indian Army soldiers in full uniform attending a religious congregation presided over by the controversial godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri—popularly known as Baba Bageshwar—has sparked a massive debate over the secular and professional ethos of the Indian military.
The event took place in Kota, Rajasthan, just days before Republic Day. The videos feature soldiers of the 14 Sikh unit making offerings to Shastri and sitting reverently at his feet. Local reports indicate that the unit’s Commanding Officer (CO) also publicly felicitated the preacher on behalf of the army.
Dhirendra Shastri, the head priest of Bageshwar Dham, is a polarizing figure known for his claims of “divine mind-reading” and his vocal advocacy for turning India into a “Hindu Rashtra.”
An Indian Army spokesperson in New Delhi stated that while the event was not “officially organized” by the military, visiting places of worship in uniform is not strictly prohibited. However, the spokesperson did not address the specific propriety of an entire unit participating in a public display of devotion to a controversial religious figure.
The incident has caused significant “disquiet” among retired high-ranking officers. Veterans argue that such displays blur the line between personal faith and professional duty.
- Major General A.P. Singh (Retd): Termed the event “blatantly performative and highly avoidable.” He noted that such activities run counter to the secular ethos of the army, where even the display of religious symbols like tilaks was traditionally discouraged.
- Institutional Identity: Several retired three-star and two-star officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, warned that the army’s legitimacy is derived from the Constitution of India, not religious sanction. They expressed fear that such public displays of religiosity could fracture the internal cohesion of a force that includes personnel from diverse faiths.
This incident is not an isolated one. Military observers pointed to recent instances involving high-ranking officials, including Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who was recently seen in saffron attire offering prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple and visiting spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in uniform.
While the ruling BJP has defended these actions as a matter of personal faith, critics and veterans argue that the “politicization” and “majoritarianism” entering military circles could “corrode the moral and professional foundations” of the Indian Army.
During the event, Dhirendra Shastri urged the public to salute the “brave hearts” of the army. However, veterans worry that by positioning himself as an intermediary between the nation and its military, the godman is using the uniform to bolster his own cultural and religious project.
As the videos continue to circulate, the Indian Army faces tough questions regarding institutional judgment and the boundaries of religious expression for a force that has historically stood above politics and religion.
