Far-right religious preacher Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham invoked the situation in West Asia to warn that similar conditions could emerge in India. Referring to the recent death of Tarun Butolia, who died during a clash on Holi in Delhi, he alleged that Hindus are not safe in the country. Using dogwhistle rhetoric, he compared Muslims to “snakes,” claiming that while others may not recognise them, he knows who they are.