Cop Touches Dhirendra Shastri’s Feet at Raipur Airport

New Delhi, December 27, 2025: A significant political storm was triggered in Chhattisgarh this week following a high-profile arrival at the Raipur airport. On December 25, 2025, Bageshwar Dham head Dhirendra Krishna Shastri was observed alighting from a state-owned aircraft. The spiritual leader was accompanied by Chhattisgarh Minister and BJP leader Guru Khushwant Saheb. The visit, intended for a religious discourse in Bhilai, quickly transformed into a national headline due to the actions of the security personnel on duty.

The Viral Act of Reverence

In a video that has since amassed millions of views, an on-duty police officer was observed performing an act that many have labeled a breach of professional ethics. After initially saluting the State Minister, the officer—identified as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mana Basti police station—was seen removing his cap and shoes. He then stepped forward to touch the feet of Dhirendra Shastri in a traditional gesture of ‘charan sparsh.’ This display of personal devotion while in official uniform has sparked a fierce debate regarding the separation of faith and duty.

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Political War of Words Over State Resources

The incident has provided fresh ammunition for the Congress party, which was quick to condemn the use of government machinery. It was argued by Chhattisgarh Congress communication head Sushil Anand Shukla that the deployment of a state aircraft for a religious figure represents a “misuse of the state exchequer” and a “wastage of public money.” The opposition has demanded a formal clarification on the constitutional authority under which the plane was arranged, accusing the government of promoting “superstition and hypocrisy” at the taxpayers’ expense.

BJP Defends “Personal Faith”

The ruling BJP has stood firmly behind the officer and the spiritual leader, characterizing the gesture as a matter of individual belief. State BJP chief spokesperson Santosh Pandey was heard questioning why the opposition is troubled by a police officer bowing to a guru. He countered the allegations by citing instances where employees of other faiths offer prayers at public transport hubs, accusing the Congress of being “anti-Sanatana Dharma.” The party has maintained that respecting a religious figure does not diminish the integrity of the uniform.

Disciplinary Action and Public Debate

While the political debate continues to simmer, administrative consequences have already begun to unfold. It was reported on December 26, 2025, that the police officer involved, identified as Manish Tiwari, has been ‘line-attached’—a form of disciplinary transfer. Senior officials stated that while personal faith is respected, the act was viewed as a violation of the dignity and neutrality required of a uniformed officer. The incident remains a focal point for discussions on the delicate balance between cultural traditions and the secular requirements of the Indian state.