By Mohammad Tarique Saleem
In a major blow to fraudulent spiritual networks, the Uttarakhand Police arrested 25 fake godmen on July 11 as part of Operation Kalnemi, an initiative launched under the strict directives of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The action, aimed at protecting public faith from deceitful individuals, was carried out across multiple locations in the state following weeks of surveillance and intelligence collection.
The incident gained widespread attention after former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav posted about the arrests on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. His post, condemning the deceit and highlighting the urgency of such action, quickly went viral and triggered nationwide debate over the misuse of religion by impostors. According to police sources, the arrested individuals had been posing as spiritual gurus and babas, exploiting people’s emotions and trust through false promises of healing, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment.
Many of them had set up unauthorized ashrams and spiritual centers where they conducted dubious rituals and collected large amounts of money. These so-called ‘holy men’ targeted vulnerable individuals, often women and the elderly, claiming to solve personal, medical, and financial problems through divine powers. The most shocking revelation came when one of the arrested was identified as a Bangladeshi national who had been living in India illegally.
Masquerading as a guru, he had managed to avoid detection for years while operating a spiritual center. His arrest has raised serious questions about how international infiltrators are exploiting religious platforms and has prompted calls for more stringent background verification for spiritual leaders and institutions. The name Operation Kalnemi is drawn from Hindu mythology, where the demon Kalnemi symbolizes deception and evil. In the same vein, these fake babas are seen as threats to moral and spiritual integrity.
The operation aims to cleanse religious institutions of such elements and safeguard the faith of millions. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the police for their prompt and effective action, stating, “Faith is the foundation of our culture, and it must not be manipulated for personal gain. Our government will continue to take strict action against such individuals.”
Further investigations are ongoing to uncover the networks and financial trails of the arrested godmen. Authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious spiritual activities. The crackdown is being viewed as a landmark step in preserving the sanctity of religion and restoring public trust in genuine spiritual institutions.
