Hathras stampede: 'Bhole Baba' remains inactive on social media, adorns white suit, lives a plush life

AGRA: Scores of bodies laid on blocks of ice inside the government hospital in Hathras in the aftermath of the deadly stampede at a 'satsang' (religious congregation), as the wailing relatives of the victims waited outside in the drizzle to take mortal remains back home.
The victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the 'satsang' by religious preacher Saakar Vishwa Hari also known as Bhole Baba, a former UP police constable who left service prematurely to become a religious preacher.
The stampede took place at around 3.30pm on Tuesday when Baba was about to leave the venue.
Formerly known as Surajpal Singh, he is believed to have served as a police officer for 18 years, during which he was posted across 12 police stations in western Uttar Pradesh and in the state’s intelligence unit.
He opted for voluntary retirement (VRS) in the 1990s and changed his name to Sakar Vishwa Hari, according to sources. He soon gained prominence on the religious circuit in northern India, amassing lakhs of followers, including senior government officials and politicians.
His followers are primarily concentrated in western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
“Bhole Baba belongs to the Jatav community and has significant influence among the SC/ST and OBC sections. Muslims are also among his followers,” a police officer said.
Interestingly, unlike other godmen, he does not wear saffron attire and is not very active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X. During his discourses, he is often seen in a white suit and white shoes, or occasionally, a kurta-pyjama topped with a white cap.
He is usually accompanied by his wife and lives a plush life at his ashram in the Patiyali area of Kasganj. His events are massive affairs, drawing large crowds. Marriages are also solemnized during these events, as per sources. The weekly satsang, held every Tuesday, is managed by the baba’s volunteers, known as sevadars. They handle everything from arranging food for the attendees to managing traffic at the venue, a source added.
The baba is no stranger to controversies. In May 2022, when the country was still grappling with Covid-19, he organized a congregation in Farrukhabad. There are also several allegations of land grabbing against Bhole Baba.