The stampede in Hathras that happened on July 2nd, 2024, claimed the lives of 121 people and left many injured and in shock.
Congregating for a satsang by a self-styled godman called Bhole Baba, a former constable called Suraj Pal and also known as Narayan Saakar Hari, the panic and chaos of the day has brought up many questions about different authorities, lack of safety measures in place and more.
However, many are also curious about the man who almost 2 lakh people collected to see. Reports have questioned the fact that the self-styled godman’s name has not been included in the FIR although police authorities have said that they will interrogate him if required.
Regarding the Hathras stampede Bhole Baba in a statement on July 6th as per ANI said, “May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration.
I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives.”
However, several reports have been popping up about the man in question.
Only Women Allowed Ashram
As per a New18 report, Bhole Baba’s ashram in Sahajpur village in Khedli town, Alwar, Rajasthan allowed entrance only to women. The ashram launched in 2010 and spread over one and a half bigha of land is surrounded by high walls that do not allow any view of the interiors and even locals are not allowed entry without permission.
It is claimed that the inside of the ashram is full of lavish facilities, air-conditioned rooms, modern amenities, and more.
According to the report, “Villagers allege that only female devotees are allowed inside during these times (when Bhole Baba is present), with male followers and local residents denied entry.”
When people have attempted to enter regardless it has “led to physical altercations, purportedly carried out by Baba’s attendants” and the victims don’t have an issue with this as it is “allegedly justified as “blessings” by the ashram’s staff.”
Phool Singh Yadav, a local ward panchayat member, has also reportedly said that the land on which the ashram is built was purchased from villages a decade ago and “followers, attempting to gain access for Baba’s sermons or darshan, were reportedly assaulted by ashram attendants.
In response to objections, victims are said to have rationalised their injuries as divine blessings bestowed upon them by Baba himself.”
Read More: Stop Being Dumb & Unfollow These Godmen/Dhongi Babas
Rs. 100 Crore Assets
As per a New Indian Express report, the 65-year-old Bhole Baba “owns around two dozen ashrams across UP and neighbouring states, a fleet of luxury vehicles, assets running into crores and a personal army of security guards and commandos, claim sources familiar with him.”
A Hindustan Times report has also claimed that ‘Bhole Baba’ has 24 ashrams, and assets worth ₹100 crore.
The self-styled godman’s fortunes are looked after by the Shri Narayan Hari Sakar Charitable Trust, however, “sources of his possessions are not clear as he has a following mostly among the deprived and downtrodden sections.”
The trust, however, was created last year only and also supervises operations of ashrams located in Kanpur’s Bidhnu, Etawah and Patiyali in Kasganj. The Bhole Baba is also said to travel in a white Toyota Fortuner with a convoy of multiple four-wheelers led by 16 commandos in black uniforms riding 350 cc motorcycles making sure his path is clear.
He reportedly resides in his Bichuva Ashram in Mainpuri district, Hari Nagar, which is spread over 21 bighas and has six rooms reserved for him and his wife Malti Devi. The Mainpuri ashram also according to reports has a big board at the entrance that shows 200 names said to be donors who donated money from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 2.5 lakh that went toward the construction of the place built three years ago.
Claim Of Bringing Dead Teen To Life
The self-styled godman Suraj Pal, aka Narayan Saakar Hari, aka Bhole Baba, was also booked in 2000 at Agra’s Shahganj police station for making a false claim of bringing a 15-year-old dead girl back to life.
The 24-year-old incident occurred after Narayan Saakar Hari and his followers took the dead girl to a crematorium as reported by Hindustan Times who spoke to Tejveer Singh, a retired deputy SP, who was the inspector in charge at the Shaganj police station at that time.
Speaking with HT Tejveer Singh said, “A 15-year-old girl had died on March 18, 2000. Sural Pal, who has an ashram in Kedar Nagar area of Agra, claimed to bring the girl back to life. He and his followers took the deceased girl to Malka Chabutra crematorium for exhibiting his magical powers.”
Singh further added, “Seven people, including Sural Pal, were arrested and booked under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, at Shahganj police station of Agra.”
The self-styled godman was arrested when some of his followers threw stones at the police, however, he was later acquitted by a court.
Reports also claimed that village locals are not fully believing the claims of miracles and such propagated about the godman since they have never witnessed such incidents firsthand.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: The New Indian Express, Livemint, New18
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Bhole Baba, Bhole Baba case, baba name, hathras case, Hathras satsang, Hathras stampede, Hathras stampede baba, UP, UP Police, Uttar pradesh, Narayan Saakar Hari, godmen, godmen India, baba, baba India, ashram, Bhole Baba ashram
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, or copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
Other Recommendations:
UP Cop Tells How The Hathras Stampede Could’ve Been Avoided; But Who Is This Bhole Baba?
