As part of a robust campaign launched by the Uttarakhand Police, fourteen individuals posing as spiritual leaders—popularly referred to as “babas”—were arrested recently, including several foreign nationals. This operation, known as Operation Kalanemi, was initiated in July under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to curb deceptive practices and abuse of religious sentiment.
Our correspondent adds that the arrests form part of a wider crackdown in which authorities have questioned more than 5,500 individuals suspected of masquerading as holy men, especially during high-flux pilgrimages. Those detained include five Bangladeshis—two apprehended in Dehradun and three in Haridwar—and one Nepali national. The Bangladeshis are now being held in detention centres pending deportation proceedings.
This initiative escalates an already ongoing effort. Earlier phases of Operation Kalanemi saw hundreds of such imposters detained. For example, over 170 “fake babas” were arrested during just three days of the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage, including individuals from across other Indian states and one Bangladeshi national. In earlier months, law enforcement also reported more than 300 such arrests statewide, while Dehradun alone accounted for around 82 arrests in one sweep.
Officials emphasise that the operation targets those exploiting religious faith, particularly via social media, to defraud worshippers, often women and youth. The name “Kalanemi” is symbolically drawn from mythology—a demon who disguised himself as a holy man to mislead, serving as a metaphor for today’s fraudsters.
In response, the Police have launched the next phase: dismantling fake spiritual personas maintained online. They are monitoring and investigating bogus accounts used for religious conversion and fraudulent practices. Emphasis has been placed on protecting women from deceptive tactics, both in-person and across digital platforms.
According to IG (Law & Order) Nilesh Bharne, the operation aims not only to maintain cultural sanctity but also to reassure the public that such charlatans will face decisive legal consequences.
In summary, Uttarakhand’s Operation Kalanemi illustrates a determined effort to preserve the state’s spiritual heritage, protect devotees from exploitation, and guarantee that only authentic spiritual practitioners serve the faith community.
