COVER STORY
After over a hundred devotees died at Bhole Baba’s satsang in Hathras recently, we explored why people believe in godmen and godwomen, examining their branding and attending satsangs to witness without judgement
Outlook Magazine - 01 August 2024
Brand Baba
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The space in which self-proclaimed godmen/women function is crowded and competitive, compelling them to adopt creative means to stand out and build their brands
In its implied collusion and complicity with gurus, the pseudo-secular Indian state detaches its moorings and deposits in the individual
Surajpal Singh Jatav alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Baba Bhole Nath’s “miracles” outnumber his many names, but behind the white facade of his “immortal” divinity and magic realism is a man mired in materialistic controversies and an empire worth crores.
A major attribute of deras is their capacity to provide succour to those tossed aside by the mainstream
Church ministries headed by charismatic and controversial figures gain a devout following in Punjab
Unafraid and unbothered about the fate of other godmen, gurus and babas, Radhe Maa says she is content with her followers
Neither light, nor outside air reaches the women trapped in Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya centres across India. Their guru is charged with human trafficking, but many remain
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The space in which self-proclaimed godmen/women function is crowded and competitive, compelling them to adopt creative means to stand out and build their brands
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In its implied collusion and complicity with gurus, the pseudo-secular Indian state detaches its moorings and deposits in the individual
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Gurus and the willing suspension of their devotees’ disbelief
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Are godmen here to stay?
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Surajpal Singh Jatav alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Baba Bhole Nath’s “miracles” outnumber his many names, but behind the white facade of his “immortal” divinity and magic realism is a man mired in materialistic controversies and an empire worth crores.
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A major attribute of deras is their capacity to provide succour to those tossed aside by the mainstream
-
Church ministries headed by charismatic and controversial figures gain a devout following in Punjab
-
Unafraid and unbothered about the fate of other godmen, gurus and babas, Radhe Maa says she is content with her followers
-
Neither light, nor outside air reaches the women trapped in Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya centres across India. Their guru is charged with human trafficking, but many remain
OTHER STORIES
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The well-meaning activist effort to keep people away from pseudo holy figures might be better off if it examined its own understanding of the nature of belief found in faiths
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The Kreupasanam Marian Shrine in Kerala is in the business of miracles through a ‘divine’ newspaper
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The intriguing case of Ghulam Rasool—the ‘faith healer’ from Kashmir
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Demystifying the world of deras and babas
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After the Hathras tragedy, a national anti-superstition law is the need of the hour
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Godmen as conmen has become a common trope in Indian cinema
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Often cases involving Muslim women are framed as a fight between secular and personal laws. In doing so, we ignore larger, more interesting questions
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As we celebrate 171 years of the majestic institution of St Joseph’s Convent High School, Patna, I am compelled to travel down memory lane
