Hanumangarhi Ayodhya Mahant Raju Das criticised ex-UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks on Dhirendra Shastri (Bageshwar Baba), calling them "unfortunate" and "born out of frustration". Das said, "While saints like him (Bageshwar Baba) uphold Sanatan and idea of Hindu Rashtra, Akhilesh wants to create division." He also accused Akhilesh of "insulting saints" while simultaneously seeking their blessings.