What is it with us Indians and godmen?

Now that Baba Rampal Dass is safely behind bars after a day's-long police siege of his Hisar fortress, it’s now time to ask: What is it with us Indians and godmen?

This has become a truly hackneyed story. Every some months, a godman who you and I may never have heard of, but who has thousands (if not lakhs) of fanatical devotees, is charged with crimes ranging from financial fraud to sexual molestation to outright murder. The guru goes into hiding; his followers scream conspiracy and sometimes are even ready to take up arms against the state. Finally, the guru surrenders, and disappears into prison. But the faith of his followers remains unshaken.

Be it rampal, dera sacha sauda’a baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Nirmal Baba or indian’s personal favorite “Baba Asaram” , all these baba’s have one thing in common and that’s their cleverness and people’s foolishness. Yes I do call them intelligent because in such a highly modernized age where we all call ourselves educated; it’s surprising how cleverly these babas have brainwashed us.

Most disconcertingly, even educated followers seem to be willing to accept such claptrap. The sight of these supposed godmen amassing wealth, travelling in luxury SUVs, displaying an inordinate fondness for expensive watches and developing ashrams that look like spiritual Disneylands, strangely, does not seem to disgust them or make them aware that this brand of spirituality is a business worth over Rs. 1,000 crores annually.

As I was reading yesterday’s The tribune, Journalist Sushil manav very briefly explained how Baba rampal fooled its followers, rampal’s chair was fixed on elevated stage that helped him to project himself as a man with divine power, the enclosure was fitted with teleprompter for him to read “shloaks” from the  vedas to give the impression of a learned and enlightened man.  I am hell of shocked that media who is always on hunt for investigation &  exclusive news Can’t even expose such godmen even after knowing how much money these godmen have made.

If the media is a mirror to society then perhaps  they should remove  such shows from the mainstream  channles. Even after many exposures of such baba’s , all the national channels including Aaj Tak, Star TV, and Zee tv shows these baba’s on their prime-time slots .  In a way I would say the Indian media promotes superstition. It’s a high time media should refrain from featuring them.

“Changes are taking place in class status, gender roles, material wealth and structure of society,” and hence, an individual who feels unable to control the uncertainty of his life is more likely to believe in those who promise to help him gain some measure of control.

But believe me no amount of believing in such guru’s helps you. Its just the positivity in you that cures your illness. Start believing in yourselves and believe in the magic of your own self. Positive energies are all around us, we just need to look for it and adopt it. Doing well is the only thing that can give us peace. Help the poor, feed the hungry, educate someone, protect someone and most importantly love someone. These simple things will give your life a new direction and enthusiasm. The time that you spend in standing in long queue to have a look at your guru, try spending the same in helping someone; I am sure that will give you more peace and inner satisfaction.

Believe in the miracles that your goodwill can make in the life of others & stop letting anyone cheat you in the name of god!!!

Stay blessed!

Love 

Kiran