‘I will certainly marry,’ says Dhirendra Shastri:Claims emerging ‘terror links’ among professionals threaten country; calls for reform in Muslim education

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s foot march has reached Vrindavan. During the 170 km march over 10 days, his health deteriorated three times. He says, “Where is rest for me without completing Lord Rama’s work… The side effects of working 20 hours a day are visible on me.” On the Delhi blast, he says, “I want to tell my Islamic brothers that there is a need for change in the education policy, so that no doctor turns out to be a terrorist.” Great personalities have sacrificed themselves for Hindu culture. If we too must sacrifice, we will neither stop, nor fear, nor retreat. Seeing Hindu unity during the foot march, terrorists have become agitated. Read the full interview… In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Dhirendra Shastri spoke about everything from rising terrorism and Hindu unity to his marriage. Question: You fell ill several times during the pilgrimage, yet you didn’t stop? Answer: I am fine. The body has its own dharma (duty), and it is fulfilling it. The body may weaken, but the heart is strong. The condition of Hindus is worse than my own. If my health worsens while improving their condition, so be it… We will improve the condition of Hindus. We will continue striving to unite this country. We will not retreat; we will stand firm. Until my last breath, my body and mind are Hindu, my identity is Hindu; every fibre of my being is Hindu. Question: Did the 170 km journey achieve the results you hoped for? Answer: Time will tell whether the objective has been achieved or not. Look, no movement or revolution becomes effective instantly. In a few days, we will know how impactful it was—right now there is noise everywhere. For now, there will be discussions and deliberations. Then there will be protests as well. Only after that will something become visible. Question: You said that blasts like the one in Delhi may happen in every street and locality. What did you mean? Answer: The meaning is straightforward. In a country where someone holding a dignified position like a doctor is linked with a terrorist organisation, the future is undoubtedly in danger. Our religiously fundamentalist brothers must understand this. We appeal to our Islamic brothers to improve their education policy, so that no doctor becomes a terrorist. Question: You also said some people have a wrong perception of your journey. Who are these people? Answer: There is no doubt that great men sacrificed themselves for our culture. If we must sacrifice, we will not stop. We will not fear, nor withdraw. Question: During your journey, the Delhi blast occurred. Was this an attempt to send you a message? Answer: There was frustration somewhere, which was visible. The government and intelligence agencies will explain it better. Security was increased, activities intensified. It is clear that they are frustrated by Hindu unity. We are not going to stop because of this. They believe in exploding bombs; we believe in breaking coconuts. Question: You have been emphasising Hindu unity from the beginning. Why is this needed? Answer: This need has arisen because if Islamic countries can unite, then Hindus can also unite. In some Hindu-majority regions, Hindus have themselves become a minority—this too has created the need. Today, Hindu society is divided by caste, region, and language. To ensure that culture is not destroyed and the Hindu identity does not come under threat, this is the right time. Question: You speak of Hindu fundamentalism. Will this not increase Muslim fundamentalism? Answer: There is a world of difference between Hindu fundamentalism and religious fundamentalism. In our fundamentalism, we follow ‘Ahimsa Paramo Dharma’ (non-violence is the highest duty) and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). We do not believe in fighting with swords; we fight with ideas. Therefore, there is a significant difference. Question: Your journey polarises Hindus. It is said that the BJP benefits from this? Answer: This is absurd. Through this foot march, the Constitution will be protected. When Hindus unite, the country is protected; only then is the Constitution protected. If the country itself is not secure, how will the Constitution be safeguarded? In Islamic countries, the Constitution is scarcely respected. Question: You once said that during tough times, a Muslim friend helped you. Yet now you speak about Hindu–Muslim issues? Answer: Among our followers, there are many who follow the Muslim faith. Muslims welcomed our foot march. People mentioned the film Amar Akbar Anthony. Amar worships in a temple, Akbar offers namaz, Anthony prays in a church—but in the end, Kanhaiya turns out to be everyone’s father. Look, there are converted Muslims in this country; it is a good opportunity for them. In the final phase of the march, Chidanand Swami arrived from Rishikesh. Jaya Kishori walked with Dhirendra Shastri, singing bhajans. Question: Did you expect BJP to win so big in Bihar? Answer: We never give political statements nor comment on politics. We only speak of nationalism. We pray that parties working for nationalism and Sanatan continue to win. We heard that attempts were made to divide people along caste lines. But those attempts failed; people rose above caste and voted for themselves. Question: How important is the issue of cleaning the Yamuna? Answer: People living along the Yamuna need to be aware. We have heard the government is also working on cleaning the river. Question: Earlier BJP said they didn’t have a government in Delhi; now they do. What is your view? Answer: I also think there could not be a better time. The chief ministers of all four states should sit together and decide that within a set number of years or months, each will clean their part of the river. If everyone purifies their own stretch, the entire river will be clean in one year. Question: Do you want to change the Constitution by demanding a Hindu nation? Answer: Not at all. Let a Hindu nation arise in the hearts of the people; it will automatically appear on paper. When the right people occupy the right positions, they will bring the change themselves. Question: You spoke about establishing Hindu villages. How far has that plan progressed? Answer: We told people that the land is ours; you should come and settle. No business needs to be conducted. Question: Will people’s lives become easier after a Hindu nation is declared? Answer: Then it won’t be difficult either. Question: Like the Ram Temple, are you preparing a resolution for Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi? Answer: Three temples are our right—Kashi, Ayodhya, and Mathura. We will discuss this with saints and sadhus on 16 November. We are currently waiting for the court’s decision. It is certain that a temple will be built there. Shilpa Shetty joined Dhirendra Shastri’s march in Mathura. She told him, “You are not a problem. You are solving problems.” Question: Your followers want to know—when will you get married? Answer: Certainly. Question: Will the person you marry be a homemaker? Answer: (Smiling) When we marry, we will become householders. Question: You held a foot march in Madhya Pradesh in 2024, then came to Delhi, Haryana, and UP in 2025. Which states are next? Answer: Padyatra 3.0 will definitely happen, but we will decide where only after 16 November. We are citizens of India; we are free to go anywhere. Question: We have been with you 24 hours during the foot march. You walk for 20 hours daily, giving your body little rest? Answer: It is written in the Ramayana: “Ram kaj kinhe binu mohi kahan vishram” (Where is rest for me without completing Rama’s work?). We do rest, but not as much as the body needs. Its side effects are visible; we will make some adjustments going forward.