(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)
A day after over 121 people lost their lives in a crowded event in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, questions are being raised about the spiritual gathering organized by self-proclaimed guru Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari, whose followers were among the victims. Suraj Pal Singh, whom his devotees call Bhole Baba, was born to a farmer in Bahadur Nagari village in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh. He joined the Uttar Pradesh police and worked as a head constable in the Intelligence Unit for over 18 years. However, his followers claim he also worked for the Intelligence Bureau. In 1999, he took voluntary retirement from service, changed his name to Narayan Saakar Hari, and began conducting spiritual discourses. He told his followers that he felt a calling towards spirituality and global peace, and resigned to embark on his spiritual journey. Reportedly, he claimed to live in a hut in his village and traveled across Uttar Pradesh to preach. Narayan Hari also has a large following in the neighboring states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Unlike many self-proclaimed godmen, Narayan Hari is often seen wearing a white suit and tie or a simple kurta-pajama, accompanied by his wife, Prem Bati.
The renowned spiritual leader, known for his humble disposition, graciously accepts the offerings from his devoted followers during his satsangs, promptly redistributing the funds among his community. Despite his preference for maintaining a low profile, he has found himself embroiled in various controversies. In 2022, he organized a similar satsang in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, even as the Covid-19 Delta variant was on the rise. While the local authorities had only authorized 50 attendees, the event drew a staggering crowd of over 50,000 people, leading to significant traffic congestion in the area. To ensure the safety and security of his followers, the spiritual leader has assembled a dedicated team, the "Narayani Sena," comprising both men and women, who escort him from his ashram to the satsang venues. Tragically, a stampede at a religious event organized by a self-proclaimed guru, Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari, resulted in the loss of over 121 lives. This guru had previously claimed to have collaborated with the Intelligence Bureau and had shared his inclination towards spirituality, having resigned from his profession in the 1990s to pursue his spiritual path.
Narayan Hari chooses to dress in a white suit and tie, rather than the traditional saffron robes. He also often wears a kurta-pyjama outfit. During his teachings, he emphasizes that he does not keep any of the donations received, and instead uses the funds entirely to assist his followers. His wife, Prem Bati, frequently joins him. Narayan Hari considers himself a devotee of Hari and has attracted a substantial following in the western region of Uttar Pradesh.
