BAHADURNAGAR
'Miracles' and hope: Hathras stampede spotlights India's craze for godmen
"Bhole Baba" gains popularity in India's northern states due to claims of miraculous healings. Former police constable turned preacher attracts followers with promises of divine blessings. Recent gathering led to deadly stampede in Hathras, resulting in arrests of event organisers. Sociologists attribute appeal of godmen to providing hope and meaning to insecure and marginalized individuals.
Hathras stampede: Preacher's native villagers praise him for not demanding donations
Bhole Baba, over 60, adopted a girl at Mainpuri ashram who passed away. Police confirmed his presence there, following a cremation incident and media restriction at Bichhawan ashram.
Hathras stampede: Baba's numerous legal run-ins didn't dent formidable following
Originally named Suraj Pal, the baba belonged to Bahadurnagar village in district Kasganj and was part of the civil police, a senior police official in Kasganj told ET. The baba was also associated with the local intelligence unit of Etawah in 1994-95, said another police officer. He was last posted to Agra, when he either left his job or was expelled, and soon emerged as Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba, building a formidable following over the years. Being a Dalit, his following was largely dominated by people from the Dalit and backward communities, and he spawned ashrams in Kasganj, Etah, Mainpuri, Aligarh and even Rajasthan.
Controversial preacher Bhole Baba equated himself to God, has biggest ashram in Mainpuri
Chaos ensues at Bhole Baba's overcrowded congregation, leading to a tragic stampede. The godman shifts blame to 'anti-social elements' and faces canceled events amid scrutiny.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav approves setting up two leather parks in Kanpur and Hardoi to attract investment of Rs 2,000 crores
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has given an in principle approval for two mega leather cluster projects in Hardoi and Kanpur districts.
