Two influencers arrested for producing videos aimed at maligning the image of sadhus and saints

Prayagraj Magh Mela

(‘Influencers’ are individuals who seek to influence public opinion through various social media platforms)

Arrested influencers Pradeep Sahu and Chandan Kumar

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) – With the commencement of the Magh Mela here, several social media influencers have become active in creating and circulating videos. While some are sharing positive, informative, and constructive content, others – driven purely by greed for monetary gains – are spreading misleading and objectionable videos. In one such serious incident, the Cyber Police have recently arrested two influencers for circulating videos intended to defame sadhus and saints participating in the Magh Mela.

Prayagraj Magh Mela 🚩

Two social media “influencers” arrested for uploading videos aimed at maligning sadhus and saints.

Those who defame Hindu sadhus for views and personal gain deserve strict punishment.

Do they ever dare expose corrupt clergymen or maulanas the same way -… pic.twitter.com/pc8Z09zK9o

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 10, 2026

The head of the Cyber Police Station, Om Narayan Gautam, informed that Pradeep Sahu, a resident of Sikandra Bahariya and Chandan Kumar from Madhepura district of Bihar, created a video to tarnish the reputation of sadhus and saints at the Magh Mela. Chandan Kumar approached the sadhus under the pretext of applying a tilak and initiated conversation. In the video Pradeep Sahu is seen asking a sadhu to recite the Gayatri Mantra. When the sadhu is unable to do so, Sahu demands his identity card. The sadhu refuses and attempts to walk away. This sequence was intentionally filmed to portray sadhus at the Magh Mela in a negative light and to undermine their credibility.

Police officer Kuldeep Singh Gunawat stated that Pradeep Sahu uploaded the video on his social media account. Within a single day, the video got nearly six million views. Gunawat further explained that Sahu believed the viral spread of the video would enhance his popularity, following which organisers of tents, accommodation facilities, and other commercial establishments associated with the Magh Mela would approach him for advertisements, enabling him to earn substantial profit.

Editorial Perspective

Strict punishment is essential for those who defame sadhus and saints for selfish gains ! Do such individuals ever dare to similarly record and malign corrupt Christian priests or maulanas ?