Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ahkilesh Yadav on Sunday took a jibe at Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, claiming that there were many storytellers who charge Rs 50 lakh.
"Many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for an event. Can anyone afford Dhirendra Shastri for a katha (religious ceremony) at their residence? He takes the money under the table," he told reporters in Etawah.
Akhilesh added that he was unaware of the amount Shastri, a religious preacher also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar (or Bageshwar Baba), charges for storytelling, but said "it is not free".
The comment by Akhilesh comes amid a controversy over two non-Brahmin Bhagwat Katha preachers (kathavachaks) being humiliated and tonsured in a village in Etawah.
The incident took place on June 22 when it was found that they belonged to the Yadav caste. The incident triggered major protests in the village, leading to the arrest of four accused who were identified as shish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi and Manu Dubey.
Akhilesh also shared a video of the alleged assault which showed the accused purportedly saying they were "being punished" for coming to "the village of Brahmins".
Akhilesh targeted the Yogi Adityanath-led ruling government of the BJP over the alleged assault and said the incident was part of a larger conspiracy to divide Uttar Pradesh along caste lines by bringing in "planted elements" from neighbouring states.
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