Unmasking the dark nexus:The Hathras incident, exploitation by fake godmen, and the political patronage corruption
By Dr. Avi Verma
In recent years, India has witnessed a troubling rise in the influence of self-styled godmen, who exploit the faith of millions for personal gain, political power, and perpetration of heinous crimes. The tragic Hathras incident, involving a stampede at one of Swami Bhola Nath’s gatherings, which claimed over 100 lives, starkly highlights the dangerous consequences of blind faith and unchecked power.
This incident is a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women, particularly those from marginalized communities, and the sinister activities of fraudulent spiritual leaders.
The Chilling Hathras Incident
In Hathras, Swami Bhola Nath, also known as Baba Bhola Ram, was convicted in 2018 for raping a woman who sought his spiritual guidance. This case epitomizes the broader pattern of abuse perpetrated by these fraudulent leaders, who often operate with impunity due to political connections and the blind faith of their followers. The subsequent stampede at one of his gatherings, resulting in over 100 deaths, underscores the unchecked power these godmen wield, often at the expense of their devotees’ safety.
Prominent Cases and Crimes
The exposure of fake godmen in India has revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse and exploitation committed under the guise of spirituality. These self-styled spiritual leaders have been implicated in numerous heinous crimes, including sexual assault, fraud, and even murder. Despite their criminal activities, many of these godmen continue to wield significant influence due to their political connections and the unwavering faith of their followers. The following cases highlight the most notorious examples of such figures, detailing their crimes and the impact on their devotees.
Asaram Bapu: A prominent spiritual leader, Asaram Bapu was convicted in 2018 for raping a minor girl at his ashram. This conviction revealed a network of sexual abuse and other criminal activities disguised under spiritual practices. Despite his imprisonment, Asaram continues to command a significant following, highlighting the deep-seated faith people place in these figures.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: The leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, Ram Rahim Singh, was convicted in 2017 for raping two female followers. His conviction triggered violent protests from his supporters, demonstrating the immense control he wielded. He was also convicted for the murders of a journalist and a former Dera manager.
Sant Rampal: Arrested in 2014 after a standoff with police, Sant Rampal was wanted for murder. The discovery of five women’s bodies and a child’s corpse at his ashram exposed the lethal dangers of blind faith.
Swami Premananda: Convicted of multiple rapes and murders, Swami Premananda’s case underscores the extreme violence some godmen can inflict under the guise of religion.
Narayan Sai: Following in the footsteps of his father Asaram Bapu, Narayan Sai was convicted of rape, reflecting a disturbing pattern of abuse within certain godmen’s families.
Swami Amrita Chaitanya: Accused of financial fraud and sexual exploitation, Swami Amrita Chaitanya’s case highlights the wide-reaching criminal activities of these godmen.
Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand: Known for his claims of miraculous abilities, Bhimanand was arrested for running a prostitution racket, revealing the manipulative tactics used by some godmen.
Virendra Dev Dixit: Currently absconding, Virendra Dev Dixit is accused of wrongful confinement and sexual exploitation, showcasing the difficulties in bringing such individuals to justice.
Paramahamsa Nithyananda: Despite numerous allegations of sexual abuse and fraud, Nithyananda maintains a significant following, showing the deep influence some godmen have over their devotees.
Radhe Maa (Sukhvinder Kaur): Accused of dowry harassment and running a cult-like organization, Radhe Maa’s opulent lifestyle starkly contrasts with her spiritual teachings.
Swami Om: Known for his controversial behavior, Swami Om has faced accusations of assault and fraud, damaging the reputation of genuine spiritual leaders.
Nirmal Baba: Exploiting people’s superstitions, Nirmal Baba charges exorbitant fees for entry to his ‘darbar,’ preying on the emotional distress of his followers.
Political Patronage and Exploitation
Political patronage plays a significant role in the unchecked rise of these godmen. Politicians often seek the support of these influential figures to mobilize large voter bases, providing them with protection and legitimacy. This symbiotic relationship enables godmen to operate with impunity, running their ashrams and organizations as virtual parallel states. The support from political leaders often emboldens these godmen, making them feel invincible and above the law.
The deep dissatisfaction and blind faith, however, turn truly noxious when politics gets mixed into it. Godmen wooing gullible individuals would not be a problem if politicians did not use them to influence voters. That politicians vied with each other to get the favor of dubious Baba Ram Rahim during elections is too well known. This political patronage at times allows some better-organized godmen to run parallel states, with their armies and untrammeled power. They start thinking that they are invincible, indomitable, and above the law.
The Need for Oversight and Regulation
As regulation by the government may not be feasible and is likely to be opposed, society must evolve some credible mechanism (an agency consisting of independent learned scholars and retired judges, etc.) to monitor the functioning of the organizations/ashrams headed by babas so that any nefarious/anti-social or dubious activities may be curbed before they assume menacing proportions. India badly needs some kind of cleaning of the weird world of ‘babalok/babadom.’ The scope for taxing the income, other than that used for genuine charitable or public welfare purposes of such organizations (which virtually run businesses), needs to be explored. Further, all such organizations should be required to register themselves with the society-evolved overseeing authority. The public should also be educated by NGOs, police, and the overseeing agency so that they do not easily fall prey to the evil designs of the babas.
India’s journey towards cleaning the realm of ‘babalok’ is essential for preserving the sanctity of its spiritual heritage and protecting the innocent from exploitation. Only through collective societal efforts and stringent legal measures can the menace of fake godmen be effectively addressed.
Conclusion
India’s struggle to eliminate fraudulent godmen is crucial for preserving its spiritual integrity. By addressing the root causes of this phenomenon and implementing necessary reforms, the nation can protect its citizens from exploitation and uphold the true values of spirituality and justice. The Hathras incident, alongside the crimes of these godmen, highlights the urgent need for societal and systemic change to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for all.
