Here Comes Another BABA

Guys Its raining allegations over Babas. So our next entrant to the list is "Sarathi Baba". Ok... Who ? Basically, he is one preacher from state of Odisha in India. Of course, the media has already elevated him to status of Self-proclaimed godman, controversial, second avatar of Krishna (self-attested by media) and for the rest do use your imagination. This stuff is really getting boring, come on media not every preacher in India is you know self proclaimed godman. For that matter, i do not even know what godman means;

Yes steering back the talks to the allegations, what actually has been alleged is that this babaji was spotted wearing Jeans and T-Shirt. 2 minute silence for all seculars please. No, technically speaking that's not the major issue here. The list is long and continually growing.

Lets delve in detail. All this started when News 7 in last week of July, 2015 aired still photos and footage from Hyderabad Hotel, alleging Mr Sarathi stayed there for few days along with a female accompany, they also showed copies of Non-Vegetarian food and liquor billed to their Room No. This is what we could say is the initial basic framework. The duo had spent three days in the four-star hotel and the godman had presented his voter ID card as identity proof while checking in, the report claimed.

What followed next was beyond any logical reasoning. I say so not to defend Sarathi Baba but just to point out the timeline of events which has just so easily been overlooked (intentionally?) by all of us. If this man stayed with another female for a week in Hyderabad. What's the problem? Before u start labeling me as pervert, immoral, stupid and blind follower lemme elaborate. 

* Legally speaking, two adults staying together with mutual consent, is not a crime under any clause. The lady who was introduced as his first wife during hotel check in could have raised an alarm during any day of their stay or in flight. There is no proof of abduction or harassment. From the initial reporting it looks very much mutual.

* Bills for non-vegetarian food and liquor were charged to same room he had been staying in. These bills could easily be faked both by hotel authority and media. Has it got Baba's signatures on it ?

* With all these hullabaloo regarding ban on sale/consumption on meat, now we have a protest over its consumption. Well, redefine hypocrisy please.

* He has readily accepted he regularly wears western outfits but to evade being recognized and mobbed at public place. Which  is completely sensible. Also, he has presented his actual IDs both in flights and hotel, even media affirms it. Then where's the question of hiding ?

* All i am suggesting is, if the baba has actually stayed with a lady and consumed such foods. The final call lies with his adamant followers, his wife, his son. Not in any way with media. If baba is found unfit for spiritual position he has claimed over himself as spiritual guide for many, his followers can shun him and go. Why Jail over this ?

 

The case as it stands today is murkier and messy at best. The same woman who had stayed with him has now filed two FIRs against his organization. "ADGP, Crime Branch, B K Sharma said the woman alleged that she was asked by another woman who identified herself as a CBI officer to file the first FIR" reports Indian Express / Cached .Wow ! She filed an FIR just because someone on phone told her to. Also, she states in FIR, she had been forced by Sarathi’s women associates to file the initial FIR.

* Zee News (Original / Cached) reports Sarathi has been booked under various section of IPC including 420 (cheating), 120(B) criminal conspiracy and 341 (wrongful restraint) as well under the Arms Act and SC/ST Act. Call me dumb, but please could someone explain how staying overnight with that lady leads to Arms Act or SC?ST act. Someone. Anyone.

* At time of actual recording of statements, the lady has evolved her story to, "The woman, a final year student of SCB medical College here, had filed an FIR against four persons accusing them of blackmailing her for over four months and forcing her to accompany the Baba to Hyderabad where she spent three nights with him in the first week of July." as reported here / cached. Mind you, she finally understood she was being 'threatened' and 'forced' only after a media house revealed it all and state saw huge uproar and unrest. Not in flight, not in hotel, not even after returning back.

Currently, both he and his son have been arrested since Aug 8 and Aug 19. Son, over some financial interrogations. If you would google in his name, which you are probably doing right now : Allegations by ex-devotees, Gupt Sewa, Palang Sewa, Gold, Money is all you will be allowed to notice. No one takes time to even verify such reporting. He has also been charged with 2-3 more FIRs by once now ex followers. Some alleging rape 2 years back. From claims of holy materialization, actual biological mother, brain washing, blind followers, you name it - Sarathi Baba now has it.

My point is why has it all started so suddenly, in such synchronization. Who is behind it ?

Disclaimer : I have never met, seen, listen to, followed, visited Sarathi Baba or any of his ashram. I usually observed him on various TV channels while surfing between the channels. His popularity was on high since past years and continually increasing. After many years, Sarathi Baba may be convicted or pronounced innocent. I do not vouch for his innocence. I only highlight such events, which should have been found bizarre in any other context or in any other country or when associated with any other religion.