Sathya Sai Baba - a god man or a normal human being - is the question has been raised once again after his death. Many people started asking about his "super magical power."
The renowned controversial writer Taslima Nasreen from her Twitter account said, "Now what exactly do u want to say?
Criticising Sai Baba's earlier claim that he would die at the age of 94 in 2020, Taslima Nasreen tweeted, "No amount of good works can justify fooling common people and exploiting their dreams."
Taslima Nasreen was not the only one who criticised Sai Baba's "spiritual power." Many people were there who sound similar to the controversial Bangladeshi author. A tweeple tweeted from his Twitter account, "Sai Baba didn't keep to his promise to die @ 94. Lesson to mankind:
Despite all controversies, from general people to well-known celebrities have enlisted their names at the devotees list of the Sri Sthya Sai Baba. Strating from actor Amitabh Bachchan to Sachin Tendulkar showed their faith on the "godman." Even his followership crossed the boundary of the nation. Thousands of international devotees paid their tribute to the "guru."
The Sathya Sai Baba was much beyond a spiritual guru to the masses and was born as Sathyanarayana Raju in the quaint village of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh on Nov 23 1926 and was gradually noticed for his miraculous deeds that included getting food and sweets from thin air right from childhood. Regarded as the reincarnation of the Shirdi Sai Baba who was also known for his many charitable acts.
With many hospitals, schools, and programmes spread across the world, his followers are believed to be close to 6 million. There are 1200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries worldwide. The trust runs general hospitals, two specialty hospitals, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries. He was the messiah for the less fortunate and his prestigious water project gets the biggest clap. He was instrumental in spearheading in a project to supply water to 1.2 million people in the drought-ridden Anantpur district in AP. The project was called the "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal."
With a life of charmed existence, Satya Sai Baba getting 'vibhuthi' from thin air was the one image that is etched in our minds. For many a mere touch could transform their lives to a level that was beyond explanation.
The renowned controversial writer Taslima Nasreen from her Twitter account said, "Now what exactly do u want to say?
He was a normal human being
He was actually..he cheated on crores of his followers."Criticising Sai Baba's earlier claim that he would die at the age of 94 in 2020, Taslima Nasreen tweeted, "No amount of good works can justify fooling common people and exploiting their dreams."
Taslima Nasreen was not the only one who criticised Sai Baba's "spiritual power." Many people were there who sound similar to the controversial Bangladeshi author. A tweeple tweeted from his Twitter account, "Sai Baba didn't keep to his promise to die @ 94. Lesson to mankind:
He is not God but human
Despite all controversies, from general people to well-known celebrities have enlisted their names at the devotees list of the Sri Sthya Sai Baba. Strating from actor Amitabh Bachchan to Sachin Tendulkar showed their faith on the "godman." Even his followership crossed the boundary of the nation. Thousands of international devotees paid their tribute to the "guru."
The Sathya Sai Baba was much beyond a spiritual guru to the masses and was born as Sathyanarayana Raju in the quaint village of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh on Nov 23 1926 and was gradually noticed for his miraculous deeds that included getting food and sweets from thin air right from childhood. Regarded as the reincarnation of the Shirdi Sai Baba who was also known for his many charitable acts.
With many hospitals, schools, and programmes spread across the world, his followers are believed to be close to 6 million. There are 1200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries worldwide. The trust runs general hospitals, two specialty hospitals, eye hospitals and mobile dispensaries. He was the messiah for the less fortunate and his prestigious water project gets the biggest clap. He was instrumental in spearheading in a project to supply water to 1.2 million people in the drought-ridden Anantpur district in AP. The project was called the "Sathya Sai Ganga Canal."
With a life of charmed existence, Satya Sai Baba getting 'vibhuthi' from thin air was the one image that is etched in our minds. For many a mere touch could transform their lives to a level that was beyond explanation.
Controversies swirled around godman
Over the years, Sathya Sai Baba was embroiled in a few controversies, though in no instance did the mud stick. Rumours about Sai Baba sexually abusing young male devotees circulated for years. Under the guise of the yogic technique of ‘kundalini raising’ he was alleged to have massaged the genitals of boys and young men with perfumed oil.
In 1976, a former American devotee Tal Brooke wrote a book called Avatar of the Night: The Hidden Side of Sai Baba, describing the guru’s sexual perversions. But Brooke’s allegations were dismissed by millions of Baba’s followers as resulting from “a sick and vengeful mind”.
The most dramatic incident occurred in June 1993 when four male devotees, who were close to Sai Baba, broke into his private quarters late at night armed with knives. They were stopped by Sai Baba’s personal attendants and in the violent struggle that ensued, two of the attendants were killed and two seriously wounded. Sai Baba managed to escape through a secret flight of stairs and raised the alarm. When the police arrived, the four men were in Sai Baba’s bedroom and they were shot dead in cold blood. The police claimed that they shot the intruders in self-defence.
In 1976, a former American devotee Tal Brooke wrote a book called Avatar of the Night: The Hidden Side of Sai Baba, describing the guru’s sexual perversions. But Brooke’s allegations were dismissed by millions of Baba’s followers as resulting from “a sick and vengeful mind”.
The most dramatic incident occurred in June 1993 when four male devotees, who were close to Sai Baba, broke into his private quarters late at night armed with knives. They were stopped by Sai Baba’s personal attendants and in the violent struggle that ensued, two of the attendants were killed and two seriously wounded. Sai Baba managed to escape through a secret flight of stairs and raised the alarm. When the police arrived, the four men were in Sai Baba’s bedroom and they were shot dead in cold blood. The police claimed that they shot the intruders in self-defence.
The nominal investigation that followed was subsequently shelved, allegedly at the behest of central leaders. Sai Baba – one of the key witnesses to the events of that night – was himself never questioned.
There have also been allegations of financial misdemeanours and in 1986, a case was filed against Sai Baba for violating the Gold Control Act. The Baba’s followers have also been known to have physically assaulted various persons who dared to speak out against him.
What Next for the 40,000-cr Trust?
Ever since reports first started filtering in that Sri Sathya Sai Baba wouldn’t recover, speculation began about what would happen to the Rs 40,000 crore-worth property that belongs to Sathya Sai Central Trust.
There were rumours that the government would take over. Another rumour had it that the Trust’s properties in Puttaparthi, Whitefield, Kodaikanal and other places would be parcelled out among certain key acolytes.
However, on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy made it clear that the AP government will not interfere in the working of the Trust. He said: “The Trust is in order. We have spoken to Trust members. They have assured us that all activities will continue in the same way as it was when Baba was alive.”
