Latest news with #Kalnemi
Mint
16-07-2025
- Mint
What is Operation Kalanemi? 300 ‘fake' saints arrested in crackdown on religious fraud in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched 'Operation Kalanemi' on July 10 in order to safeguard the dignity of true religious teachings and preserve harmony in the society. Over 300 'fake' individuals pretending to be saints have arrested by the police across six districts of Kumaon division. Operation Kalanemi is a campaign focussing on to expose and eliminate fraudulent spiritual leaders who mislead the public under the guise of faith. It draws inspiration from the mythological figure Kalnemi, a demon who disguised himself as a saint to deceive others. According to Dhami, "Just as the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive, many such 'Kalnemis' exist in today's society who are misusing religion to commit crimes. This is an effort to protect people's faith and ensure that only true spiritual guides lead our communities.' Police have interrogated 1,250 suspects as the verification drive continues under Operation Kalanemi. 'Uttarakhand Police is conducting a continuous verification drive to interrogate the suspects. The police have questioned 1,250 suspects,' Inspector General of Uttarakhand, Nilesh Anand Bharne told ANI. FIRs, preventive detentions, challans are among the actions taken by the state against them. 'These individuals were exploiting people's faith through superstition, deceit, and false claims of divine powers. They had no valid identity proof or documentation to support their credentials. During the campaign, suspects were taken into custody, their backgrounds verified, and necessary legal action was taken,' IANS quoted Inspector General (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal as saying. He added that all police stations and outposts across Kumaon have been asked to be on alert and continue the action against suspicious figures disguising as spiritual leaders. "Kalanemi was a character from the Ramayana who tried to obstruct Hanuman ji's path. Today, who is responsible for those in disguise, the fake godmen spreading superstition in society? Why has the need for Operation Kalanemi arisen? Those who create an environment for such deceitful people — who mislead others by spreading fear and superstition — must also be held accountable under Operation Kalanemi..." Congress leader and former Uttarakhand CM Rawat stated. "I think this initiative is necessary, because nowadays many people are roaming around disguised as saints — like the demon Kaalnemi in disguise — and many of them belong to certain groups with malicious intent. Secondly, I must say that it is extremely difficult for any government to truly identify who is a genuine saint and who is a fake one, who is Kaalnemi in disguise and who is truly enlightened. Governments often fail to understand this subtle distinction..." Devacharya said. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey appreciated the move but called on the Chief Minister to engage in self-reflection. 'Catching fake babas is commendable, but CM Dhami must also identify the 'Kalnemis' within his own party who are corrupt and creating social unrest,' he stated. BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain mentioned, 'Many fake people are looting innocent believers with false promises and 'miracles.' This campaign will help unmask them.' This drive comes at a time when Uttarakhand is seeing a rise in religious activity due to Kanwar Yatra and Char Dham Yatra. As holy towns like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath continue to draw large numbers of visitors, the government aims to protect both the security and the spiritual integrity of these gatherings.
News18
11-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
What Is Operation Kalnemi? Hindu Leaders Back Uttarakhand's Crackdown On Fake Sadhus
Last Updated: The name 'Operation Kalnemi' is inspired by the demon Kalnemi from Hindu mythology, who took on the appearance of a saint to mislead people Religious leaders and seers in Ayodhya have extended support to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's recently launched 'Operation Kalnemi', which is aimed at identifying and taking action against fake sadhus who exploit religion for personal gain. Hindu Rashtra Sena president Prabodhanand Giri welcomed the move, calling it timely and necessary. He urged the Uttarakhand government to continue the campaign until the Kumbh Mela and take strict action against imposters found misusing the identity of sadhus. However, he suggested that the operation should officially begin 15 days later, as a large portion of the police force is currently focused on ensuring the safety of Kanwariyas, devotees of Lord Shiva participating in the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. Prabodhanand Giri proposed a clear method for identifying genuine sadhus. He recommended that authorities should ask individuals claiming to be sadhus for the name of their guru, their Akhara (monastic order), and any proof linking them to an established religious lineage. He also raised concern over so-called 'jihadists" disguising themselves in saffron robes to deceive and rob people, stating that Operation Kalnemi is essential to protect Uttarakhand and its religious heritage. Sanjay Das, successor to Gyan Das Maharaj and president of the Sankat Mochan Sena, also supported the move but cautioned that such sensitive actions must be carried out in coordination with the Akharas. In a post on X, Dhami explained that there have been several reports of imposters pretending to be sadhus and deceiving people, especially women, in the name of Sanatan Dharma. These actions, he said, not only mislead the public but also damage the image of Hindu traditions and social harmony. 'This not only hurts the religious sentiments of people but also tarnishes the image of social harmony and Sanatan tradition. Strict action will be taken against such elements, regardless of their religion," Dhami wrote. The name 'Operation Kalnemi' is inspired by the demon Kalnemi from Hindu mythology, who took on the appearance of a saint to mislead people. Dhami said such modern-day 'Kalnemis" will face strict legal action, regardless of their religion. The Chief Minister said the government is determined to protect religious sentiments, ensure public safety, and uphold the dignity of Sanatan culture. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
