India will soon become Hindu Rashtra, even foreigners want...: Dhirendra Shastri's big claim

Shastri has considerable followers in Madhya Pradesh as well as other parts of the country.

Controversial self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar has reiterated his claim that India will very soon become a "Hindu Rashtra".

"India will become 'Hindu Rashtra'. Even people from foreign shores gathered at our programme today. They may practice Christianity but believe in 'Sanatan Dharma'... This means that even foreigners want an India where everyone can say Hindutva with pride, setting all caste differences aside. We are Hindustani. Hindustan means 'Hinduon ka Sthaan' (place for Hindus)," news agency ANI quoted Shastri as saying.

"We have no ambitions to come to power or form the government. But if anyone wants to support us, they are welcome. We are calling on all Hindus to support us. India will very soon become a Hindu Rashtra," he added.

Shastri is the Peethadhishwar of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, a famous religious pilgrimage site in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

He made headlines when a person named Shyam Manav of All India Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti of Nagpur challenged him in his Divya Darbar and questioned his spiritual powers, Manav also allege Shastri of promoting blind faith.

When the controversy erupted in Media, Shastri invited Manav to his Divya Darbar and said,"I am just a servant at the feet of Bageshwar Balaji. I do as he inspires me".

Reacting to the challenge, Shastri told ANI, "Such people keep coming. We do not operate within closed doors. They (those challenging him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs of people come and sit at the court of Bageshwar Balaji. I will write about things that inspire me and whatever I write, turns out to be true. I have faith in my God."

Many prominent Hindu Religious leaders like Swami Ramdev, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Rambhadracharya, Sadhvi Prachi, Pragya Thakur and Politician Giriraj Singh came in his support.

Shastri has considerable followers in Madhya Pradesh as well as other parts of the country.