Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the 29-year-old Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, has catalysed a visible youth-led movement against alcohol and substance abuse through the Sanatan Hindu Ekta Rath Yatra 3.0, a five-day chariot procession that concluded on 15 October 2026. The yatra traversed nearly 500 km across five Bundelkhand districts, drawing thousands of young participants and sparking a series of public de-addiction pledges at every major halt.

Yatra Route and Scale

The procession began on 11 October from Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur and wound through Panna, Damoh, Sagar, and Tikamgarh before concluding on 15 October. Thousands of devotees, including a notably large contingent of young people, participated at various stops along the route. Organisers describe the turnout as one of the largest for any such spiritual-social initiative in the Bundelkhand region.

De-Addiction at the Core

At each major halt, Dhirendra Shastri administered public pledges urging participants to renounce alcohol, drugs, and other intoxicants. He highlighted substance abuse as a defining crisis for the region, stating, 'Bundelkhand is struggling with addiction. Special measures were taken and people took pledges. We are confident this journey will bring significant change.'

In areas such as Banda, he met families who had reportedly lost loved ones to spurious liquor, appealing for collective community action against the menace. The de-addiction campaign was described as a core — not peripheral — element of the yatra's stated mission.

Shastri's Call to the Youth

Addressing young audiences throughout the journey, Dhirendra Shastri declared, 'When the youth awaken, India will awaken; the dream of an addiction-free India will become a reality.' He repeatedly argued that substance abuse weakens both the individual and the nation, urging young people to embrace discipline and traditional values rooted in Sanatan principles.

This comes amid a broader national conversation about rising drug dependency rates among youth in smaller towns and rural districts, where institutional support systems remain limited.

Demand for Liquor Ban in MP

Dhirendra Shastri also called upon the Madhya Pradesh government to consider a complete ban on liquor shops across the state, pointing to the examples of Bihar and Gujarat as models. The demand adds a political dimension to what is primarily framed as a spiritual-social campaign, and is likely to reopen debate on prohibition policy in the state.

What Comes Next

Dhirendra Shastri announced that his next yatra would focus exclusively on de-addiction and awareness against substance abuse, signalling an intent to deepen rather than broaden the campaign. Organisers and local supporters describe the movement as a significant step towards building a healthier, value-driven society in Bundelkhand. Whether the public pledges translate into sustained behavioural change at scale will be the movement's true measure.