‘He will respond publicly’, says Dhirendra Shastri:Accepts challenge involving identification test and closed-room object recognition

Baba Bageshwar Dham chief priest and religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri is conducting Shri Ram Katha from April 26 to 30 at Reshimbagh in Nagpur.
During the event, a controversy has intensified between Shastri and Shyam Manav of the Anti-Superstition Eradication Committee over issues of faith, spirituality, and science.
Shyam Manav has issued a challenge offering ₹80 lakh, which Shastri has accepted. Challenge: Identify 10 individuals and objects Shyam Manav has challenged Shastri to correctly provide the names, fathers’ names, ages, and mobile numbers of 10 randomly selected individuals.
Additionally, Shastri is required to identify 10 objects placed in a closed room as a test of alleged “extrasensory powers.”
Both tests require at least 90% accuracy and are proposed to be conducted in Nagpur in the presence of journalists.
The committee has stated that if Shastri succeeds, he will be awarded ₹80 lakh; otherwise, it will be considered exploitation of public sentiment. Previous similar challenge in 2023 This is not the first such challenge. In January 2023, Shyam Manav had offered a ₹30 lakh challenge in Nagpur. At that time, allegations were made that Shastri left the Ram Katha event two days early, which he denied. Dhirendra Shastri accepts the challenge During a discourse on Tuesday, Dhirendra Shastri accepted the challenge and said:
“Whatever irritation someone may have, they are welcome to come to the court. We will present whatever knowledge and ability we have. We are not magicians. Whatever inspiration we receive from God, we will act accordingly and guide people.” Shyam Manav says he will accept defeat if proven wrong Shyam Manav said that if Shastri correctly identifies the details of the 10 individuals, he will accept defeat. He also said the controversy has created a tense atmosphere in Nagpur, with devotees supporting Shastri and some organisations protesting his earlier statements. Earlier complaint filed with police Around three years ago, Shyam Manav, founder of the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition Eradication Committee, had also filed a complaint against Shastri.
He urged the police to take action, alleging that Dhirendra Krishna Shastri was promoting superstition.
However, Nagpur Police stated that they did not find anything objectionable in the videos and that there was no indication of superstition or any criminal offence.
Following this, Shastri responded that the promotion of Sanatan Dharma cannot be considered superstition.