Blind faith industry

The emergence of fake gurus is not a new phenomenon in a nation that runs on religion. There were incidents in the past where the facades of these so called “babas” were exposed. The recent arrest of Dera chief, Guru Ram Rahim is testimony to the fact that people continue to be gullible to these “spiritual gurus”

A fake Baba hitting (read blessing) devotees on the head with a humble broomstick and a vengeful expression and those of grateful devotees delightedly awaiting their chance for “head bumps” is one of the many crazy images doing the rounds on social media.

A response to several other fakes on the prowl I presume, soon after the “King of Fakes” and Mafia like Head of the Dera Saccha Sauda Ram Rahim Gurmeet Singh received a twenty-year prison term. Referred to as the ‘Rapist Baba’ for his notorious record of rapes that has grown from 40 to 300, as newer facts surface each day apart from horrific details spanning death, murder, castration and the goriest of crimes – the Baba is one of a growing tribe of con men exploiting gullible devotees in our country. We have Babas of different hues and those with wacky names like “Pilot Baba” “Mouni Baba” “Khadaun Baba” and “Gumnaam Baba” on the menu.

I am sure there is a long list of wacky names but delving into them would not only be a waste of precious time but poses a serious threat to our sanity. The antics of men and women wearing strange clothing, performing miracles of every conceivable kind and claiming to have supernatural powers and ‘Siddhis’ have been discussed thread-bare in many a forum but that they continue to thrive is the damning part of the story. The subject of many a film on celluloid with all the Woods (Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood) using them to generate a few laughs, these con men form a disgusting breed that seems to multiply like cancer cells.

Shocking and horrific crimes are concealed beneath their ‘Holy Robes’ and yet devotees seem blind to them till the myth is broken and reality dawns. The image of the Dera Chief going down on his knees, crying and pleading for mercy after his jail term was announced only vindicates the point that he is no ‘Super Human’ being. It loudly proclaims his guilt and helplessness when the law caught up with him.

Let us examine the phenomenal growth of cult leaders. These self-proclaimed cult leaders have huge empires amassing wealth to the tune of several crores making them undisputed ‘King makers’ in a farcical democracy. They can make or break people. They can instigate violence and induce people into becoming pallbearers of death and disaster as seen in recent incidents that make us wonder about their sanity.

They hold a hypnotic sway over followers who vote en masse for candidates suggested by them explaining why even non-believers make a great show of touching their feet and receiving blessings (the crucial votes). No wonder politicians from all parties make a beeline to their ashrams and fool both the Gurus on one hand and the people on the other by keeping their promises ‘Evergreen’. Images of politicians, film stars and other celebrities seeking blessings enhance the Guru’s image and hordes of grateful followers go into raptures convinced that there is something in their Guru that draws the high and mighty to him.

Many Hindu organisations take umbrage over the fact that only Hindu fakes are exposed while con men from other religions get away scot free. There is no denying the fact that paedophiles, molesters, rapists and extortionists on the lines of fake Babas exist in Christianity, Islam and other religions of the world. It is sheer numbers and the fact that they are a majority that probably garners more attention for the fake saffron brigade.

However, it is indisputable that all con men have only one religion – the exploitation of the innocent and the gullible. It is the people who are their market and their herd mentality the right soil to plant seeds of negativity that enslave them for the rest of their life. It is the devotees who define the Guru. Where are the Gurus sans the throng of devotees? This brings us to the moot question – What draws people to these ashrams and retreats in such huge numbers?

“People are deceived into believing in the supernatural powers of Babas. who hypnotise them by producing ash and gold ornaments from thin air, Shiv lings from their mouth or healing them (hypnotic confessions) on the spot as in the case of health camps conducted by Christians. Islam has its share of fraudsters, who dupe innocent people with promises of ensuring male heirs in families.

Once they develop blind faith, people are at the beck and command of the master. They have no mind of their own. The Guru becomes God and they go all out to please him. We have also been performing these ‘so called’ miracles to expose their tricks and spread awareness. However, it is for the state to step in and take corrective action,” Prof. BN Reddy of the Jana Vignana Vedika, an organisation fighting against blind faith and superstition, explains.

To be fair to the several saints and spiritual leaders who traversed the length and breadth of our nation at different times, fake Sadhus cast a shadow over the genuine, leaving people confused and bewildered. How then does one separate the chaff from the wheat? “Ours is a land blessed by the presence of several saints and masters who undertook penance in the Himalayas, led a life of austerity and strove for the well being of humanity.

We had the great saint Adi Shankaracharya who preached Advaita (Non-duality) and established mathas or monasteries in the four corners of the country. We had Ramanujacharya and Madhavacharya who propounded Dwaita (duality). We have Yogis, who control their breath through Pranayama and are known as Paramahamsas and Parivrajakas. These people renounced all worldly desires. They did not have ‘dehaabhimana’ (attachment to the body) and made no demands on their devotees,” says M Venkataramana Sarma, editor of a spiritual magazine ‘Darshanam’.

He feels the Union government should step in after the Dera incident and make a list of the hundreds of “fake spiritual leaders” belonging to all faiths and probe the shady deals behind philanthropic deeds like educational institutions, hospitals and other social work that are nothing but a ‘front’ for antisocial and illegal activities.

G Venkateshwar Raju, spokesperson of the regional unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) feels that the nexus between politics and fake masters has to be broken. “We condemn the activities of spiritual con men who are emerging as mafia leaders with money and muscle power gathered through fraudulent means.

Just as all those who wear white clothes cannot be termed politicians, those cloaked in saffron, cannot be mistaken for spiritual leaders. We should not allow the good work of our saints and spiritual masters to be overshadowed by conmen who pretend to be gurus. They are in reality a blot on society and have to be socially ostracised,” he warns.

We as people get what we deserve whether it is our leaders or godmen who trade on our faith. Beset by life’s problems many seek spiritual guidance and willingly walk into traps laid by innovative fakes. An end to this malady can only come about through concerted action from the government, awareness generated through voluntary organisations and common sense from the people. Ultimately, it is people who are key to change. Awareness makes them discern and alert. It allows them to see the ambiguity. When awareness dawns, the fake ones will fade away.