Operation Kalnemi: Over 300 Pretend 'Babas' Nabbed In Uttarakhand

HALDWANI: In a sweeping crackdown on imposters exploiting spiritual sentiments, Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday has taken motion towards greater than 300 faux babas underneath Operation Kalnemi throughout the Kumaon division. The initiative, launched underneath the directive of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, goals to weed out fraudulent religious figures misguiding the general public within the title of religion.

Chatting with IANS, Inspector Basic (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal confirmed that the operation was carried out throughout all six districts of the Kumaon area, the place over 300 people posing as saints, babas, or religious guides had been recognized. Motion has been initiated via FIRs, challans, and preventive detentions.

“These people had been exploiting folks’s religion via superstition, deceit, and false claims of divine powers,” Agarwal instructed IANS. “They’d no legitimate identification proof or documentation to help their credentials. In the course of the marketing campaign, suspects had been taken into custody, their backgrounds verified, and obligatory authorized motion was taken.”

Agarwal additional added that every one police stations and outposts throughout Kumaon have been instructed to stay vigilant and proceed the crackdown towards suspicious figures masquerading as religious leaders. The operation is impressed by the mythological determine Kalnemi, a demon who appeared as a saint to mislead folks. Drawing from this allegory, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Operation Kalnemi on July 10, calling it a obligatory transfer to guard the picture of Sanatan Dharma.

“Simply because the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive, many such ‘Kalnemis’ exist in at present’s society who’re misusing faith to commit crimes,” CM Dhami had stated whereas launching the initiative. “That is an effort to guard folks’s religion and be sure that solely true religious guides lead our communities.”

The transfer comes at a time when Uttarakhand is witnessing elevated spiritual exercise because of the ongoing pilgrimage season. With sacred cities like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath drawing giant crowds, the federal government goals to make sure the protection and sanctity of those gatherings. The marketing campaign has obtained widespread help from throughout the political spectrum.

BJP nationwide spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi praised the transfer, emphasising the necessity to finish spiritual exploitation. “Conversion via cash, deception, or coercion have to be strictly monitored and curbed,” he stated. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment, stating, “With the rise in consciousness about Sanatan Dharma, many faux babas try to take benefit. I commend CM Dhami for safeguarding the integrity of our saintly traditions.”

BJP chief Syed Shahnawaz Hussain additionally voiced his help. “Many faux persons are looting harmless believers with false guarantees and ‘miracles.’ This marketing campaign will assist unmask them,” he instructed. Curiously, even Opposition events backed the initiative, albeit with pointed remarks. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey welcomed the crackdown however urged the CM to look inward.

“Catching faux babas is commendable, however CM Dhami should additionally establish the ‘Kalnemis’ inside his personal celebration who’re corrupt and creating social unrest,” he remarked.