Operation Kaalnemi: Uttarakhand CM Dhami cracks down on fake saints; 'identify and arrest them'

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has launched a crackdown on people impersonating saints to commit fraud and exploit people’s faith.

Titled Operation Kaalnemi , the initiative aims to expose and take action against those tarnishing the image of Sanatan Dharma . CM Dhami said that people misusing religion for deceit will not be spared.

Addressing recent incidents across the state, Dhami said several antisocial elements have been caught cheating the public, particularly women, while posing as saints. He warned that anyone using religion as a cover for manipulation will face strict legal consequences, regardless of their background.

Explaining the name of the operation, Dhami drew a parallel to the demon Kaalnemi, who once misled others by disguising himself as a saint. "Today, too, such ‘Kaalnemis’ exist in society," he said.

He stressed that Uttarakhand, revered as Devbhoomi or the Land of Gods, is home to peace-loving and trusting people, and that this very trust is being misused by a few.

“Unfortunately, some antisocial elements are taking advantage of this, disguising themselves as saints to deceive people,” Dhami said. “The police and administration have been instructed to identify such individuals and take immediate action under Operation Kaalnemi.”