Lara Zijl 
New Zealand stands as a beacon of multiculturalism, a nation where diverse communities coexist, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive society. The Change.org petition supporting Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s visit to New Zealand represents a heartfelt initiative to celebrate the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Indian diaspora while fostering cross-cultural understanding. Shri Dhirendra Shastri, a revered spiritual leader from Bageshwar Dham, India, has inspired millions with his teachings rooted in Sanatan Dharma, promoting universal values of love, compassion, and truth. Yet, a small but vocal group of vested interests in New Zealand has launched a campaign of misinformation to obstruct his visit, spreading divisive propaganda that threatens the nation’s ethos of inclusivity. This article, written for New Zealand Bharat News (NZB News), wholeheartedly endorses the petition to facilitate Shri Dhirendra Shastri’s visit and condemns the manipulative tactics of those seeking to undermine this cultural exchange.
The Petition: A Movement for Cultural Celebration
The petition on Change.org is a powerful expression of the Indian community’s desire to welcome Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri to New Zealand. Known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, Shastri is a prominent spiritual figure whose discourses on Shri Ram Katha, Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, and Devi Bhagwat Katha have touched the lives of millions. His teachings, delivered through his Divya Darbar and widely shared online, resonate with audiences seeking spiritual guidance and cultural connection. The petition calls for support to ensure his visit to New Zealand, where he can share his wisdom, engage with communities, and strengthen the bonds of multiculturalism that define Aotearoa.
This initiative is not merely about one individual’s visit but about affirming New Zealand’s commitment to cultural diversity. For the Indian diaspora, estimated at over 250,000 strong, Shastri’s visit represents an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage, particularly for younger generations born in New Zealand. It also invites all New Zealanders, regardless of background, to engage with the timeless values of Sanatan Dharma, fostering interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding. The petition is a call to action, urging authorities to facilitate this cultural exchange and reject attempts to stifle it.
Shri Dhirendra Shastri: A Voice of Unity
Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s rise to prominence is a testament to his ability to connect with diverse audiences. From his base in Bageshwar Dham, Madhya Pradesh, he has spent over a decade spreading messages of compassion, devotion, and unity. His discourses draw from ancient Indian scriptures, offering insights into spiritual practices while addressing contemporary challenges. His unique practice of parchi, where devotees receive divine guidance through written slips, has earned him widespread admiration, with even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledging his spiritual influence during a meeting in February 2025.
Shastri’s teachings transcend cultural and national boundaries, making his potential visit to New Zealand a significant opportunity. His messages of love and truth align with the values of tolerance and respect that underpin New Zealand’s multicultural society. Events featuring Shastri could be held in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton, drawing thousands to celebrate their heritage and share it with the wider community. Such gatherings would mirror the success of events like Diwali festivals, which have become cherished traditions in New Zealand, uniting people across ethnicities.
The Opposition: A Campaign of Misinformation
Despite the enthusiasm for Shastri’s visit, a small group of detractors in New Zealand has sought to block it through a campaign of propaganda. These vested interests, often masquerading as advocates for social cohesion, have spread misinformation about Shastri’s teachings, falsely portraying them as divisive or incompatible with New Zealand’s values. Their tactics include selective quoting, distortion of facts, and fearmongering, aimed at creating distrust and discouraging cultural exchange.
This opposition is not an isolated phenomenon. New Zealand has witnessed similar efforts to marginalise minority communities or their cultural representatives, often driven by political motives or ideological biases. In this case, detractors have misrepresented Shastri’s spiritual practices, ignoring his consistent emphasis on universal values. Such propaganda is not only misleading but also damaging to New Zealand’s multicultural fabric, as it seeks to exclude voices that enrich the nation’s cultural tapestry.
The motives behind this opposition are varied but often rooted in a desire to maintain influence within certain community segments or to push narrow agendas. By framing Shastri’s visit as a threat, these groups exploit fear to suppress cultural expression, a tactic that contradicts New Zealand’s commitment to inclusivity. Their actions undermine the trust that binds diverse communities, threatening the very principles that make Aotearoa a model of multiculturalism.
The Indian Diaspora: A Vital Part of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Indian community is a cornerstone of the nation’s diversity, contributing to every sector of society, from business and healthcare to education and the arts. With a population exceeding 250,000, Indian New Zealanders have enriched Aotearoa through their traditions, festivals, and values. For many, Shri Dhirendra Shastri’s visit is a chance to celebrate their cultural identity and share it with others, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.
Younger generations, in particular, stand to benefit from this visit. Born and raised in New Zealand, many second- and third-generation Indian New Zealanders may feel disconnected from their cultural roots. Shastri’s discourses, which blend ancient wisdom with modern relevance, offer a bridge to their heritage, encouraging them to embrace their identity while contributing to New Zealand’s multicultural society. Moreover, his visit would provide an opportunity for non-Indian New Zealanders to engage with Sanatan Dharma, promoting understanding and respect across communities.
The Harm of Propaganda: A Threat to Unity
The propaganda campaign against Shastri’s visit is a direct assault on New Zealand’s values of tolerance and diversity. By spreading falsehoods, these vested interests seek to create division, pitting communities against one another. Their actions are not only unfair to Shastri and his supporters but also harmful to the broader goal of social cohesion. New Zealanders deserve the opportunity to experience Shastri’s teachings firsthand, rather than through the distorted lens of misinformation.
This pattern of opposition echoes historical instances where minority communities in New Zealand have faced resistance to their cultural expressions. Whether it’s debates over Māori language revitalisation or the recognition of cultural festivals, such controversies highlight the challenges of maintaining a truly inclusive society. However, New Zealand’s strength lies in its ability to navigate these challenges through dialogue and mutual respect, not exclusion or censorship.
The propaganda against Shastri’s visit must be called out for what it is: a manipulative attempt to stifle cultural exchange and undermine community harmony. By rejecting these tactics, New Zealanders can reaffirm their commitment to a society where all voices are heard and respected.
New Zealand’s Multicultural Legacy
New Zealand’s multicultural identity is one of its greatest assets. From the recognition of Māori culture under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the celebration of Pacific, Asian, and European traditions, Aotearoa has a proud history of embracing diversity. Petitions like the one supporting Shastri’s visit are a vital part of this democratic process, allowing communities to advocate for their aspirations and hold authorities accountable.
The campaign to bring Shastri to New Zealand aligns with this legacy, offering an opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and promote interfaith dialogue. Events featuring Shastri could draw thousands, creating spaces for reflection, celebration, and connection. They would also showcase New Zealand’s openness to global spiritual traditions, reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming and inclusive nation.
Countering Misinformation: A Collective Responsibility
Countering the propaganda against Shastri’s visit requires a collective effort. The Indian community, alongside other supporters, must engage with policymakers, community leaders, and the media to set the record straight. By sharing accurate information about Shastri’s teachings and the purpose of his visit, supporters can dispel myths and build bridges of understanding.
Community organisations, such as temples and cultural associations, can play a pivotal role in mobilising support and hosting events to raise awareness. Social media platforms, where much of the misinformation has spread, can also be leveraged to share positive messages about the visit, highlighting its potential to unite rather than divide.
New Zealand’s media has a responsibility to report fairly and accurately, avoiding sensationalism that amplifies divisive narratives. By focusing on the cultural and spiritual significance of Shastri’s visit, the media can help foster a more informed public discourse, encouraging New Zealanders to approach the issue with open minds and hearts.
The Path Forward: Embracing Cultural Exchange
Supporting Shri Dhirendra Shastri’s visit is about more than a single event; it’s about affirming New Zealand’s commitment to cultural exchange and spiritual freedom. By welcoming Shastri, Aotearoa can demonstrate its openness to diverse perspectives, strengthening the bonds that unite its communities. This visit could pave the way for future cultural exchanges, inviting other spiritual and cultural leaders to share their wisdom with New Zealanders.
The petition provides a platform for New Zealanders to stand together in support of inclusivity. By signing it, individuals can send a clear message: Aotearoa is a place where cultural diversity is celebrated, not suppressed. The Indian community, in particular, has an opportunity to lead this effort, showcasing the richness of their heritage while inviting others to join in the celebration.
A Vision for Aotearoa
Imagine a New Zealand where Shri Dhirendra Shastri’s discourses draw thousands to venues across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, where people of all backgrounds come together to listen, learn, and connect. Imagine a nation where cultural differences are not feared but embraced, where spiritual leaders like Shastri are welcomed as ambassadors of unity. This vision is within reach, but it requires New Zealanders to reject the divisive tactics of a few and stand united in support of cultural exchange.
The petition to bring Shastri to New Zealand is a step toward this vision. It is a call to action for all who believe in the power of diversity to enrich lives and strengthen communities. By supporting this initiative, New Zealanders can reaffirm their commitment to a society where every voice is valued, and every culture is celebrated.
Summary
The campaign to support Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s visit to New Zealand is a powerful movement to celebrate cultural and spiritual diversity while countering the divisive propaganda of vested interests. Shastri’s teachings, rooted in Sanatan Dharma, offer universal messages of love and compassion that resonate with New Zealand’s multicultural ethos. The opposition, driven by misinformation and narrow agendas, threatens to undermine this opportunity for unity and understanding. New Zealand’s Indian diaspora, alongside all who value inclusivity, must rally behind the petition, engaging with communities and policymakers to ensure Shastri’s visit becomes a reality. By doing so, Aotearoa can reaffirm its commitment to cultural exchange, fostering a society where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated. NZB News stands firmly in support of this initiative, urging all New Zealanders to join this movement for cultural unity.
