The threat received by Devkinandan Thakur sparked outrage among Hindu religious authorities. Police have not yet filed a FIR.
The police have stepped up their investigation into the threat made against Devkinandan Maharaj, the founder of the Vrindavan’s Sri Priyakantju temple and a leading figure in Hinduism. The authorities are attempting to determine whether the individual threatening Devkinandan Thakur is a Saudi citizen or if he is calling from outside Saudi Arabia and making threats. Devkinandan Thakur’s Shrimad Bhagwat Katha event is currently taking place at Khargar in Navi Mumbai, and that the Maharashtra Police Administration has put advanced security measures in place throughout the whole Katha pandal. The threat that Maharaj ji has received has infuriated the leaders of the Hindu religion, who are now requesting that the Maharashtra government and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs take prompt action in this situation and provide Devkinandan Maharaj security as per required.
Devkinandan Thakur received a bomb threat over the phone on Saturday (December 24). Additionally, the caller from Saudi Arabia called his personal phone number and hurled profane insults, threatening to burn him alive in the public square. Maharashtra Police have registered NCR in response to this threat. The family and followers are worried about the spiritual leader’s wellbeing. The followers of Devkinandan Thakur provided more details about this, claiming that the accused used profane language to accuse Maharaj ji of speaking disparagingly of Muslims and when Maharaj objected to this, accused had threatened to blow him up with a bomb and burn him alive publicaly . Following the threat call, Devkinandan Thakur’s team informed the local police, PMO, Home Ministry, and Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh via Twitter.
According to Priyakantju Temple Secretary Vijay Sharma, the Maharashtra Police turned the Katha pandal into a police cantonment after becoming aware of this. At the NCR Kharghar police station, a FIR has been filed in this matter on behalf of the organisation under sections 298, 504, 506, and 507. Even before this, during Ram Navami last year in Mumbai, Maharaj jee had taken part in a procession with Shri Ram worshippers when he received a phone threatening to kill him from Dubai. Devkinandan Maharaj, according to Vijay Sharma, is a vocal advocate for Sanatan Dharma. His videos of statements given at Katha Pandal and the news channel are widely shared online. He recently came out in the Aftab-Shraddha case as well, educating Hindu community about love jihad. He claimed that while the group had previously received numerous calls of this nature threatening members for speaking out against Hindu nationalism, this time the threats were sent directly to Devkinandan Maharaj’s phone number. Few individuals even have his phone number. Because of this, his followers and the family are worried for his safety. His protection has been continuously demanded by the disciples.
Devkinandan Maharaj stated in a video message regarding this issue that while we do not talk against any caste or religion, we will not relent in our efforts to spread Sanatan Dharma and Hindutva culture. We are fighting to uphold and strengthen our principles rather than to destroy anyone. He stated that the voice of Sanatan should not cease but should continue and he urged the Union Home Minister and the Government of UP-Maharashtra to take note of this. According to Jagdish Verma, the organization’s publicity coordinator, Devkinandan Maharaj is now performing the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha in Khargar, Navi Mumbai, from December 24 to December 31. Shiv Maharapuran Katha had previously been finished at Kandivali, Mumbai.
Threats to assassinate and dismember Devkinandan Maharaj, a prominent Hindutva advocate, have been made numerous times before. In which a letter bearing a Muslim group’s name was discovered on the Priyakantju temple. This contained a written threat of mass slaughter over the promotion of Hindutva. A video was made by someone threatening to cut themselves into pieces. Additionally, cases have been opened in this regard at the Vrindavan police station. In addition to this, an attempt was made to halt his car and harm him as he was travelling to Delhi for the story.
