Dhirendra Shastri links ‘Cockroach parties’ to unemployment,:Calls for a 3-month pay cut and restrictions on politicians’ chartered flights

Bageshwar Dham chief calls for curbs on leaders’ chartered flights, proposes salary cuts, and announces nationwide campaign to declare cow ‘Rashtriya Mata’ At a discourse at Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri made a series of remarks on the economy, inflation and politics that drew attention from devotees and observers alike. On the second day of his address, Shastri said in a light-hearted tone that he dreams of seeing the Indian rupee become so strong that “America’s Trump uncle gives us 30 dollars and we return just one rupee.” Taking a swipe at political parties, he remarked that many “cockroaches” had emerged from spiritual practices in India and joked that even the creatures people fear now have political parties of their own. He added that the phenomenon showed unemployment was rising in the country. Commenting on inflation and fuel consumption, Shastri said ordinary citizens are often urged to reduce diesel and petrol use, but similar restrictions should also be imposed on the chartered aircraft used by political leaders. He further suggested that ministers, MPs and MLAs should forgo their salaries for three months. Shastri recently completed a 21-day spiritual retreat at Badrinath Dham and is currently delivering a five-day Satyanarayan Katha at the Himalayan shrine. A large number of devotees, saints and seers have gathered for the event. See Pictures Campaign to declare cow ‘Rashtriya Mata’ On Thursday, Shastri announced a nationwide campaign seeking official recognition of the cow as ‘Rashtriya Mata’. As part of the campaign, memorandums will be submitted and signature drives organised in districts across the country on July 27. Referring to Islamic scholar Mahmood Madani, Shastri said that even people who consume beef were now supporting the demand to declare the cow ‘Rashtriya Mata’, claiming that “the country is changing”. He also appealed to saints, religious leaders and followers of Sanatan Dharma to gather in Delhi and strengthen the campaign.