MP: Bageshwar Baba Defies Supreme Court Stay on Name Plates, Threatens Chhatarpur Shopkeepers to Display Names

Bhopal- In a recent controversial move, Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, has mandated that all shopkeepers in Gada village, located in the district of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, display name plates outside their shops.

Shastri’s directive comes with a warning: “This is my order—ensure the name plates are in place within 10 days, otherwise, do not complain later.”

This decree follows similar mandates in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which have sparked opposition from various quarters and have even reached the Supreme Court for a hearing.

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the directives by the Uttar Pradesh government directing shop owners to display their nameplates outside shops during the Kanwar Yatra. SC will next hear the matter on July 26.
Meanwhile, the BJP legislator from Indore has written to the Chief Minister urging similar measures.

Shastri has expressed that he has no issues with the names of 'Ram' or 'Rahman,' but has a problem with 'Kala-Nemiyo' (dark names or false names). He stated, "Whether it's stall owners, tea stall operators, or snack vendors, everyone must put up name plates. We will discuss this in the Dharm Committee meeting and inform the committee officials as well. Ensure name plates are displayed outside your shops."

In a viral video circulating on social media, Shastri asserts, "People should know who represents Ram and who represents Rahman. We have no issue with Ram or Rahman. Our concern is with false names. Therefore, there should be no problem in disclosing names. Put your name on the name plate so that the faith of the visiting devotees is not compromised."

Shastri did not stop there; he issued a stern warning: “This is my command—have the name plates installed within 10 days, or legal action will be taken by the Dharm Committee. A memorandum will be submitted to the administration along with legal proceedings. Do not complain later.”

Opposition to UP/Uttarakhand Decision:

The recent decisions by the Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh governments have faced significant opposition. Numerous individuals and parties are protesting the mandate, leading to the case reaching the Supreme Court, where it is pending a hearing. In Uttar Pradesh, shopkeepers have begun displaying name plates outside their establishments, though the Madhya Pradesh government has yet to issue any similar directive. Despite this, Shastri is enforcing name plate displays in Gada village.

Indore MLA writes to CM

In support of the name plate mandate, BJP legislator Ramesh Mendola from Indore has written a letter to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Mendola’s letter highlights that "A person’s name is their identity and a source of pride.

Customers have the right to know the name of the shopkeeper, and shopkeepers should take pride in sharing their name. To foster this sense of pride among all small and large traders, business owners, and shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh, an order should be issued to display the shopkeeper’s name outside every shop."