Every time when our country shows many a reason to feel proud, something nasty, something outlandish happens. While we laud our progress, the economic progress, the unified & undeterred approach displayed to a middle kingdom mentality nation called china in Doklam. Just, when we feel that now we are really progressing, something nasty happens.
Just ten days after our Independence day, today the northern states of India were virtually locked down by a rapist, a self-proclaimed godman Baba Ram Rahim of Dera Saccha Sauda. Some people exhibit their virtues by their physical appearance too. This man looks an out and out thug. In the past, he has been accused of murder charges too, today he was convicted on rape charges.
The case in which he was convicted today dates back to 2002 when an unnamed letter complaining sexual harassment in the Ashram of this god-man was sent to the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atalji ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against this self-styled godman. The CBI inquiry and the court case took long 15 years. By then the clout of this man increased, political support kept on coming as his followers “premis” as they are called kept swelling.
There have been many instances of wrong doings of these Babas and other self-proclaimed godman of all religions. The case of Asaram Bapu and his son, the Rampal episode, where the godmen raised his own mini militia are well known. This particular Ram Rahim was different from the above lot though. He was flamboyant, he exhibited the pop culture of the West, his dressing sense, though nonsensical, was all jazzy. He rode in his designer SUVs and jets. He even acted, directed, produced, wrote some super idiotic films. Thanks to his political connections at the right places, all his super stupid films were made tax free!!!. The twitter profile of this godmen attributes him to be Spiritual Saint / Philanthropist / Versatile Singer / Allrounder Sportsperson / Film Director / Actor / Art Director / Music Director / Writer / Lyricist / Autobiographer / DOP (sic). He should now add another feather in his cap and add a title in his twitter biography “convicted rapist”.
The law though excruciatingly slow finally reached till this Ram Rahim. A judgment was expected today, and the Baba was supposed to be present during the judgment. He may be a godly figure to his ‘premis’, but, in judicial parlance, he was just a rape accused and judgment was to be passed. If he was a real guru, as he showcased, he should have shown humility in his demeanor. But, he rode in a cavalcade of nearly 200 SUVs and showed his might. All his supporters, which numbered in lakhs came out on streets to obstruct the process of law. Section 144 was imposed, which meant that people should not assemble in groups. But, section 144 was clearly and deliberately ignored, the state government too did not bother to take all the precautionary measures. In fact, it played cozy as he had a huge following and one word from him could sway the electoral dreams of many politicians. The Courts remained firm, as always. They ensured that this man needs to be treated just like any other ordinary criminals. The baba was convicted and was sent to jail. Soon, violence erupted these “premis” attacked government and private properties and around 30 people lost their lives and hundreds got injured. The entire government machinery crumbled on its knees to prosecute this criminal. Offices, Schools, and establishments were closed, the trains were not plying, the internet services were cut off. The kind of arrogance and defiance to norms, this particular accused showed was unprecedented.
The question that arises that even in this 21st century, how can we be still so blind faithed that we blindly follow these godmen, most of whom are not more than leechers. They build a huge fiefdom of theirs, become filthy rich and powerful and tend to think that now that the rulers bend before them, they have become mightier than law. How can we ignore the fact that these very people who preach righteousness, humility, austerity are devoid of these virtues?
On a lighter note, i sometimes tell my son that he should consider becoming a godmen, for that will usher him name and fame without much efforts. All one needs to have is a flowing beard, wear long robes and utter some mantras which nobody understands. Afterall, a very learned civil servant bows before the lesser educated politician, who happens to be his boss, the politician ends up bowing before these godmen after all.
A true guru will never be crazy for any earthly possessions, he won’t crave for money, fame, power or other vices. But, a true guru is a rare commodity these days so the market will be abundant with these fake ones. Remember, as long as they have a market, these babas of all hues will crop up to fail you again and again.
The deeds of this particular baba have neither made Ram nor Rahim proud, for neither of these souls preached what was practiced today.
Vijay's Space 