Abhinav Arora, popularly known as ‘Bal Sant,’ has once again found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy. The 10-year-old was recently spotted at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj carrying what appeared to be an ultra-luxury designer bag, triggering a wave of online debates. While the bag’s hefty price tag initially grabbed netizens’ attention, it was the alleged material used that truly fuelled the backlash.
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Abhinav Arora’s luxe Dior bag at Maha Kumbh
The bag in question has been identified as the Dior Hit the Road Backpack, a high-end fashion item retailing for approximately Rs 3 lakh. Reportedly, the premium backpack is crafted in black-coated cotton canvas, adorned with the signature CD Diamond print and smooth calfskin details.
However, a misunderstanding about its materials led to public hatred. Many assumed that the bag was entirely made from calfskin leather—an opinion that quickly became controversial given the religious significance of cows in Hinduism.
Abhinav Arora’s Rs 3 lakh Dior bag at Maha Kumbh
Abhinav Arora’s father responds to the backlash
Addressing the speculation, Abhinav’s father stepped in to clarify the situation. He denied that the bag was fully made of leather and emphasised that it was crafted primarily from fabric canvas. Defending his son, he expressed frustration over the controversy, stating that there was nothing to hide.
“The said bag is made out of fabric canvas and not calfskin. I don’t use leather at all, even in my footwear. I will never do that in my lifetime. As far as materialistic possessions are concerned, I am living a family-centered social life performing religious rituals. I am telling again that I am not a saint and just a devotee and a spiritual orator. Whatever I do, I don’t hide. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the said bag to Sangam where 2 Crore people took a bath on Magh Purnima. It’s a fabric canvas bag. Not sure about the name. We bought it on our last foreign tour,” he explained, as reported by the media.
Dior Hit the Road Backpack collection
The leather debate: What does Dior say?
Despite these reports, Dior’s official product description tells a slightly different story. According to the luxury brand’s website, the Hit the Road Backpack is certainly made of coated cotton canvas featuring the CD Diamond motif, but it also incorporates smooth calfskin elements. This detail has added another layer of complexity to the debate, as it challenges the father’s claim that the bag contains no leather at all.
