The incident in Hathras is known to many of us. A stampede occurred when a place that could only accommodate a few thousand people had over 2 lakh individuals gathered, all rushing after Bhole Baba, who exited the ground. The situation escalated when he claimed that the sand that touched his feet could cure people, resulting in 121 deaths. The godman and his followers left the scene, and later, when interviewed, he said, “Honi ko kaun taal sakta hai” (Who can prevent what has to happen?). Incidents like this occur daily, and since time immemorial, even before the Enlightenment in Europe, people have spent millions on churches to secure a “route to heaven”. Many Muslims venerate pirs, view themselves as spiritually powerful figures with a close connection to the divine. After a pir has taken a sip of tea or left behind food, followers may deliberately consume these items, believing they carry the pir’s blessings. This practice, rooted in deep faith, is thought to bring protection, healing, or good fortune.
The path to spiritual growth lies in following the Creator, not His creation. Religion should never promote the killing of innocent young widows or the superiority of one man over the entire population. India faces deeper issues of acute hunger and poverty. These godmen exploit people’s desperation and hope for a better life to strengthen their positions in society, often turning them into their disciples. According to Times Of India, Surajpal Singh aka Bhole Baba owned assets worth 100 crore, drove a Fortuner, and ran over 24 ashrams, where, he claimed he did not accept any donations. His documents revealing these details had been seized, yet his name was not part of the FIR regarding the stampede.
The system backs these self-proclaimed “misguides”, making it a million-dollar industry for them. Movies like MSG: Messenger of God, which has a 2.4-star rating on IMDb, have received reviews like, “You should call it a wannabe documentary instead of a movie. The lead guy himself is the writer, director, singer, and as so happens, the producer, so you can imagine if you have a lot of money and want to show off, what do you do? Make a movie about yourself”. Gaining popularity through media is a viable option for politicians, athletes, and now the Baba(s) like Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is now in jail serving a 20-year sentence for raping two of his followers. In October 2023, a charge sheet was filed against Naseem Khan, 23, who is a maulana who taught Arabic at a mosque and had sexually assaulted a 10-year old student in Kota, Rajasthan. Such incidents are indicative of the truth of these vile bearded men who are conscious of our reverence as well as neglect when it comes to these “dharam ke thekedaars”. The common trend here is the lust for material and sexual gains. To curb the infiltration of our faith and society by manipulative godmen, a nuanced and collective approach is essential. The collaboration between administration and the community can prevent the proliferation of these fraudulent practices. Large-scale religious gatherings should be conducted only with proper permissions and under the vigilant supervision of local law enforcement. Furthermore, awareness campaigns and robust community support are crucial in safeguarding the integrity of our religious practices.
It’s clear that in our quest for spiritual fulfillment, we must remain vigilant against those who exploit faith for personal gain. Maharaj and Hathras shine a light on the dangers of blindly following self-proclaimed godmen and remind us to seek truth over superstition. As we move forward, let’s prioritize genuine spirituality over empty rituals and recognize that true faith is about inner growth and compassion, not the worship of false idols. Let’s be critical thinkers and protect ourselves and our communities from those who misuse religion for power and profit.
Nausheen Ali Nizami is pursuing Psychology Honours from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Edited By: Ayesha Alim.
