Latest news with #OperationKalnemi
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Operation Kalnemi: Over 300 Fake Babas Nabbed In Uttarakhand
HALDWANI: In a sweeping crackdown on imposters exploiting religious sentiments, Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday has taken action against more than 300 fake babas under Operation Kalnemi across the Kumaon division. The initiative, launched under the directive of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to weed out fraudulent spiritual figures misguiding the public in the name of faith. Speaking to IANS, Inspector General (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal confirmed that the operation was conducted across all six districts of the Kumaon region, where over 300 individuals posing as saints, babas, or spiritual guides were identified. Action has been initiated through FIRs, challans, and preventive detentions. 'These individuals were exploiting people's faith through superstition, deceit, and false claims of divine powers,' Agarwal told IANS. '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.' Agarwal further added that all police stations and outposts across Kumaon have been instructed to remain vigilant and continue the crackdown against suspicious figures masquerading as spiritual leaders. The operation is inspired by the mythological figure Kalnemi, a demon who appeared as a saint to mislead people. Drawing from this allegory, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Operation Kalnemi on July 10, calling it a necessary move to protect the image of Sanatan Dharma. 'Just as the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive, many such 'Kalnemis' exist in today's society who are misusing religion to commit crimes,' CM Dhami had said while launching the initiative. 'This is an effort to protect people's faith and ensure that only true spiritual guides lead our communities.' The move comes at a time when Uttarakhand is witnessing increased religious activity due to the ongoing pilgrimage season. With sacred towns like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath drawing large crowds, the government aims to ensure the safety and sanctity of these gatherings. The campaign has received widespread support from across the political spectrum. BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi praised the move, emphasising the need to end religious exploitation. 'Conversion through money, deception, or coercion must be strictly monitored and curbed,' he said. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment, stating, 'With the rise in awareness about Sanatan Dharma, many fake babas are trying to take advantage. I commend CM Dhami for protecting the integrity of our saintly traditions.' BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also voiced his support. 'Many fake people are looting innocent believers with false promises and 'miracles.' This campaign will help unmask them,' he told. Interestingly, even Opposition parties backed the initiative, albeit with pointed remarks. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey welcomed the crackdown but urged the CM to look inward. '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 remarked.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Operation Kalnemi: Over 300 fake ‘babas' nabbed in Uttarakhand
Haldwani: In a sweeping crackdown on imposters exploiting religious sentiments, Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday has taken action against more than 300 fake babas under Operation Kalnemi across the Kumaon division. The initiative, launched under the directive of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to weed out fraudulent spiritual figures misguiding the public in the name of faith. Speaking to IANS, Inspector General (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal confirmed that the operation was conducted across all six districts of the Kumaon region, where over 300 individuals posing as saints, babas, or spiritual guides were identified. Action has been initiated through FIRs, challans, and preventive detentions. 'These individuals were exploiting people's faith through superstition, deceit, and false claims of divine powers,' Agarwal told IANS. '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.' Agarwal further added that all police stations and outposts across Kumaon have been instructed to remain vigilant and continue the crackdown against suspicious figures masquerading as spiritual leaders. The operation is inspired by the mythological figure Kalnemi, a demon who appeared as a saint to mislead people. Drawing from this allegory, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Operation Kalnemi on July 10, calling it a necessary move to protect the image of Sanatan Dharma. 'Just as the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive, many such 'Kalnemis' exist in today's society who are misusing religion to commit crimes,' CM Dhami had said while launching the initiative. 'This is an effort to protect people's faith and ensure that only true spiritual guides lead our communities.' The move comes at a time when Uttarakhand is witnessing increased religious activity due to the ongoing pilgrimage season. With sacred towns like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath drawing large crowds, the government aims to ensure the safety and sanctity of these gatherings. The campaign has received widespread support from across the political spectrum. BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi praised the move, emphasising the need to end religious exploitation. 'Conversion through money, deception, or coercion must be strictly monitored and curbed,' he said. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment, stating, 'With the rise in awareness about Sanatan Dharma, many fake babas are trying to take advantage. I commend CM Dhami for protecting the integrity of our saintly traditions.' BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also voiced his support. 'Many fake people are looting innocent believers with false promises and 'miracles.' This campaign will help unmask them,' he told. Interestingly, even Opposition parties backed the initiative, albeit with pointed remarks. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey welcomed the crackdown but urged the CM to look inward. '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 remarked.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Op Kalnemi: 170 ‘fake babas' held in 3days from U'khand during kanwar yatra
Dehradun: Over 170 "fake babas" were held in three days as part of 'Operation Kalnemi' in Uttarakhand. Among them, 34 were arrested in Dehradun on Sunday. Op Kalnemi was initiated during kanwar yatra against those men who have been allegedly posing as seers and godmen to dupe people, including women and youths, in the state. Dehradun SSP, Ajai Singh, said the district police unit has arrested 34 individuals posing as holy men to dupe mainly women and youngsters on pretext of offering religious and astrological solutions to their daily problems. "Out of those arrested, 23 belong to other states -- nine from UP, two each from Punjab and Bihar, and one each from Odisha and Rajasthan. The remaining ones are from Dehradun and Haridwar. All were held under BNSS section 170 for further questioning," the SSP added. Dehradun district police unit arrested 25 people on the first day of the op on Friday. It included a Bangladeshi national who was allegedly operating in the city under the garb of a seer. Apart from Dehradun, 66 were held in Udham Singh Nagar and 45 in Haridwar districts on Friday and Saturday. The statewide operation was launched amidst the kanwar yatra following CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's directive last week.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Operation Kalnemi: 118 fake 'babas' busted in Uttarakhand
DEHRADUN: In a massive statewide crackdown dubbed 'Operation Kalnemi', Uttarakhand Police have arrested 118 fraudulent spiritual healers and mendicants across the state within the last 24 hours. According to the police, the widespread campaign targets individuals posing as 'Peer-Fakirs' who are exploiting unsuspecting citizens. As part of the ongoing drive, 66 suspicious individuals were specifically detained in Udham Singh Nagar on Saturday alone. Police confirmed that those arrested were found to possess criminal tendencies, preying on the vulnerable. They stand accused of misleading innocent citizens and subjecting them to mental, physical, and financial exploitation. "We are committed to rooting out these fraudsters who exploit the faith of innocent people," Senior Superintendent of Police in Udham Singh Nagar, Manikant Mishra told TNIE, adding, "This operation aims to protect our citizens from financial and emotional ruin at the hands of these charlatans." In a continuing crackdown on fraudulent spiritualists, Dehradun Police on Saturday arrested 23 more individuals posing as 'holy men' or 'babas' from various police station areas across the city. This marks the second consecutive day of the concerted effort, which saw 25 similar arrests made on Friday. Of the 23 arrested on Saturday, 10 were identified as hailing from other states, indicating a wider network of alleged fraudsters. "Police are actively arresting individuals who, disguised as sadhus and saints, lure and defraud women and youth by promising solutions to their domestic problems," SSP Ajay Singh stated. Meanwhile, Hindu religious groups welcome Uttarakhand Govt's 'Operation Kalanemi' targeting fake seers. Uttarakhand's ongoing campaign against fraudulent spiritual leaders, often referred to as 'dhongi babas' or fake gurus, has been given a striking name: 'Operation Kalnemi'. The name is directly linked to Kalnemi, a powerful Asura (demon) from Hindu mythology
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
159 arrested for posing as seers in 2 days under Op Kalnemi
Dehradun/Haridwar/Rudrapur: Police have arrested 159 people across Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar districts in two days under Operation Kalnemi, a crackdown launched to apprehend individuals posing as Hindu seers to deceive the public In Dehradun, 25 people were arrested on Friday and 23 more on Saturday. SSP Ajai Singh said the accused were found loitering or sitting by the roadside in various parts of the city. "Of the total arrested under section 170 of the BNSS (arrest without warrant), nine were from other states, including Haryana, Bihar, and West Bengal. As the investigation proceeds, further legal action will be taken against them," he said. Police in Udham Singh Nagar apprehended 66 people from Khatima, Gadarpur, and Sitarganj areas over the two days. Among them, three were from minority communities from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. SSP Manikant Mishra said, "The accused were exploiting people under the pretence of spirituality and religion. We plan to intensify the operation in the coming days." In Haridwar, 45 individuals were detained from Shyampur, Jwalapur, Bahadrabad, and Kaliyar areas. SSP Pramendra Dobal said, "The accused hail from various states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Delhi. We are verifying their backgrounds in coordination with the respective state police. The operation continues, with dedicated teams in place to apprehend additional suspects. "
