Why India is godmen’s own country

Before the Hathras stampede that killed 121 people hit the headlines, few urban folk would have heard of Bhole Baba. The incident probably left them wondering why so many people would flock to his ashram to get their hands on the soil touched by his feet or the ‘holy’ water dispensed at his satsangs.But like Narayan Hari Saakar aka Bhole Baba, several self-styled godmen have amassed a huge following that enables them to build sprawling ashrams with luxurious swimming pools and green spaces. They are driven around in SUVs with dozens of volunteers in their security cavalcades, and often enjoy the patronage of politicians, film stars and other celebrities. Some of them have a rap sheet — Haryana’s Baba Rampal and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan of Dera Sacha Sauda have been found guilty of murder, while Asaram of rape and wrongful confinement. Despite this, what holds millions of Indians in thrall?Most of these so-called godmen are themselves from a humble background — Bhole Baba is a Dalit — and their appeal is largely among the socially and economically marginalised though they do have their share of wealthy followers who are lavish with donations. medium111510748Avdesh Maheshwari, who calls himself a sevak of Saakar, told TOI that though his followers come from across the country, they are mainly from the lower middle class. Bhole Baba held sway amongst a very large Dalit community by supporting the idea of a society without the restrictions and stigma of caste. Another “guru” with an ordinary background, Rampal, a Sonipat farmer’s son, was an irrigation department engineer before he took inspiration from Kabir (widely revered in the Dalit community) and took up “sainthood.”Similarly, deras that proliferate in Punjab and Haryana have a following from every caste, but most are Dalits and OBCs. For the landless and the poor, the deras hold out the promise of social equality and dignity. Not even the jail term handed to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who headed the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, made much of a dent in his popularity among Dalit Sikhs. Practices like naming the leader of the Dera’s meditation centre as bhangidass (somebody from the lower caste) and making all the followers forsake their original surnames to adopt the title of insaan (human being) created a feeling of parity among their followers. It also freed its followers of rigid religious practices and had a more flexible approach towards being devout that attracted disciples.Promise of empowerment In a deeply hierarchical and caste conscious society like ours, cults give a sense of community and belonging, says Ajay Guduvarthy, associate professor at JNU’s centre for political studies. “There is no social dynamic in society where an upper caste and a lower caste can be seated side by side as part of the Hindu pantheon. Cults, on the other hand, give people a sense of empowerment,” he says. medium111493608K Kalyani, sociologist who teaches at the Azim Premji University, points out that unlike Hinduism, which is about rewards in the next birth, these self-proclaimed godmen give immediate gratification to their followers. Most babas run philanthropic establishments like schools and ‘health’ camps and provide financial aid to the underprivileged. “We see many members of the Bahujan community become followers of these sects. The rigidity of caste structure fails to include lower castes, thus their move to alternative forms of spirituality like godmen and seers becomes an inevitable consequence,” she says.Taking up social causes They also take on the garb of social activists, conducting campaigns against problems like drugs and alcohol addiction, caste discrimination, domestic violence etc. At Rampal’s ashrams in Haryana, satsangs promoted vegetarianism, forbid sexual promiscuity and consumption of alcohol. A quote in his book said, “An alcoholic is born 70 times a dog.” Most of these so-called godmen also promise ‘medical miracles’ that the poor turn to in desperation, either due to lack of access to good healthcare or because they can’t afford it. As stories of their “cures” spread, their ranks swell. Tamil Nadu-born preacher Nithyananda, who advocated abstinence and celibacy, ran food kitchens and skilling courses for the youth. Guduvarthy says one should not dismiss it as mere superstition. “The rise of godmen is a complex sociological phenomenon.”Over time, these evangelists, many created by TV like former Jharkhand businessman Nirmaljeet Singh Narula turned self-styled godman Nirmal Baba, acquire an aura of infallibility. “The disciples become so invested that you cannot criticise or question the guru. He has a touch of divinity. Then whatever the charges may be, it is seen as a conspiracy by the followers,” says journalist Bhavdeep Kang, author of ‘Gurus: Stories of India’s Leading Babas’. medium nocaptionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iWm-M1KLwoThis unquestioning devotion was on display when Gurmeet Ram Rahim was brought to court in 2017 and his followers gathered at the court premises in an obvious bid to intimidate the judiciary and administration. “His conviction sparked unrest in Haryana and 38 people were killed at the time due to rioting and lathi-charge. Followers were willing to sacrifice their personal wellbeing for the guru,” Kang says.It is hard to shake off faith that has been built over years. Kang says one should consider the milieu they come from and their strong support from villagers themselves. “The guru is revered. He is your guide, psychologist, mentor. You become part of the community and protecting it becomes the same as protecting your identity.”Social media clout This explains why despite being physically absent or incarcerated these ‘gurus’ continue to draw followers through social media. Gurmeet Ram Rahim, affectionately called Papaji or MSG Papa by his followers, may no longer be the guru of bling or ‘Highway Love Charger’ wearing gold chains and riding fancy bikes in his music video, but his YouTube channel @SaintMSGInsan still commands 1.2 million subscribers. Rampal and Nirmal Baba continue regular Facebook pravachans. Four years after he was declared an absconder by the govt for evading charges of rape, abduction and wrongful confinement of children, Nithyananda has over four lakh followers on Instagram and YouTube each.“Finally Kailasa open now. On July 4, the Independence Day of the United States, drums resounded in Times Square, heralding the upcoming revelation of a sovereign location of Kailasa on July 21, Guru Purnima. Official announcement on Times Square.” An Insta reel playing to the beats of the rap music was uploaded this week by @srinithyananada for his followers who may be waiting with bated breath for the next digital update. Nithyananda even broke the internet last year when a member of his team represented the ‘United States of Kailaasa’ at the United Nations in Geneva. medium nocaptionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRGyW6_5Q6kOnly a few who have been disillusioned by the ‘miracles’ or faced adversities like the stampede at Hathras turn away. Rationalist Shyam Manav, who has helmed an anti-superstition movement in Maharashtra for the last 41 years, says most people grow up with the idea that the spiritual-minded become god-like themselves. “There is a myth built that such a person can perform miracles, know the future of any person and cure medical ailments. This superstition has nothing to do with education, wealth or individual privilege. This lack of rationality grips the rich as much as the poor,” he says.Manav says that making a dent at this unquestioning devotion requires sustainable public awareness and scientific outlook. “Earlier the Vidarbha region had 200 gurus promising miracle cures. After our campaigns now they are none,” he says.Sociologist Kalyani agrees. “Students should be taught philosophies of reasoning and rationality and these need to be part of every school syllabus.”