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    Baba in Hathras satsang tragedy was once arrested for bid to revive dead girl

    Synopsis

    The recent stampede tragedy during a satsang by Bhole Baba in Hathras, chaos ensued with numerous casualties. Official relief efforts are currently underway as investigations continue into the heartbreaking incident.

    Bhole Baba
    Narayan Saakar Hari, popularly known as Bhole Baba, is a spiritual leader from Uttar Pradesh. He began his journey in spirituality after retiring from the police force, where he served in the intelligence department. Image: @kmlpaulkmlx
    In a 1998 incident, Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, along with his wife and four others, was arrested for claiming he could resurrect a dead girl in Agra. According to a report by Deepak Lavania from TOI, the case involved a 16-year-old girl who had died of natural causes. Shahganj SHO Tejveer Singh revealed to TOI that the baba had promised to bring the girl back to life, causing a stir at the crematorium.

    As per TOI, the FIR indicated that Bhole Baba faced charges under IPC section 109 and the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act after his followers disrupted the cremation process. Eyewitness Pankaj Kumar recounted how the baba, having adopted his niece who had cancer, claimed he could revive her after she fainted. Though she briefly regained consciousness, she died shortly afterward.

    Tejveer Singh reported that Surajpal and over 200 followers took the girl's body by force to the cremation ground, trying to persuade the family that he could resurrect her. When the police intervened, Bhole Baba and his supporters pelted stones at them, leading to the arrests.

    Hathras stampede: UP Police constable narrates how the incident happened

    UP Police constable Sheela Maurya, who was on security duty at the Hathras religious event where the stampede occurred on July 2, has narrated how the incident happened. "I was deputed in front of the stage. There was a huge crowd there after the event concluded. People started falling over each other. I helped many women but later even I fell and suffered injuries. The problem was that there was a huge crowd and everyone started exiting the venue together. At the time, I was only trying to save people. The CM asked me about the incident yesterday," Sheela Maurya told reporters.

    Fast forward to the recent stampede tragedy during a satsang by Bhole Baba in Hathras, chaos ensued with numerous casualties. Official relief efforts are currently underway as investigations continue into the heartbreaking incident.

    The stampede at Bhole Baba's event has sparked political conspiracy theories. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hinted at possible links between the incident and the Samajwadi Party and its leader, Akhilesh Yadav. The BJP recalled the Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena clash in Mathura during the SP rule, criticising the perceived lawlessness and political patronage. The tragic loss of police officers in these incidents underscores the need for stricter governance in UP.

    In the aftermath of the Hathras tragedy, Bhole Baba is reportedly in his heavily guarded ashram in Mainpuri. Access to the ashram is restricted, with the media and public barred from entry. Despite the controversy, the community remains defensive of Baba, emphasising his unconventional actions and the strong following he commands in religious gatherings.

    Inputs from TOI


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    ( Originally published on Jul 04, 2024 )

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