Abhinav Arora, a 10-year-old from New Delhi known as 'Bal Sant', has rapidly gained fame as India's youngest spiritual influencer, amassing nearly a million followers on Instagram through his spiritual discourses. His mother, Jyoti Arora, claims that Abhinav's interest in spirituality began at the tender age of three. In December 2023, he was officially recognized as India's 'youngest spiritual orator' by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, further solidifying his status in the spiritual community [e378a8d8].
However, Abhinav's rise to fame has not come without its challenges. Reports surfaced in October 2024 about threats against him from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, prompting authorities to provide police protection for the young influencer. This alarming situation has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of child influencers in the spiritual domain [e378a8d8].
Critics have also begun to question the authenticity of Abhinav's spiritual claims and the role of his family in promoting his image. A viral video featuring Swami Rambhadracharya criticizing Abhinav has sparked a heated debate about the legitimacy of child spiritual influencers and the responsibilities of their families. In response to the backlash, Jyoti Arora has announced plans to sue various YouTube channels for defamation, indicating the contentious nature of Abhinav's newfound fame [e378a8d8].
Experts warn that the phenomenon of child spiritual influencers like Abhinav could have significant implications for society, particularly regarding the pressures placed on young individuals to perform and the potential exploitation of their innocence. As the trend of spiritual tourism and social media influence continues to grow in India, the case of Abhinav Arora serves as a critical example of the intersection between youth, spirituality, and the challenges of fame in the digital age [e378a8d8].