He was the man who possessed “godly qualities” until recently. He could attract lakhs through his sugarcoated oratory and show path to get relief from mundane pains.
He also left his followers dazed by his miraculous act—showed how by his divine touch a concrete made cow can give milk, honey could ooze out from his foot and powder of ashes (bihuti) drop from his fist. His devotees jostled for a glimpse of him and never minded making donations for the welfare of his ashram.
Hordes of devotees made a beeline at his ashram and sat there in discipline clad in ashram uniforms to hear his preaching. They gulped his saliva, drank his foot-washed water and stayed in his ashram to render one or the other service for him till they were satisfied that they enjoyed a sort of proximity with a god. But alas, the long years of association, submission and reverence for him gone in the length of a day! The sting expose made a GOD a DOG!
Baba Sarathi of Barimul ashram in Kendrapada seems to be that mystery which the credulous people of Odisha took years to make out. Many are still not convinced that the Baba wearing modern attire stayed in a hotel with a woman and took wine and meat there. These were the short-cut hunting people who took Sarathi for granted as an incarnation of god and sought his blessings to get success in life or avert impending misfortunes. Since the allegations against the godman are yet to be proved, many of the Baba’s followers still garland his framed photos, apply sandalwood paste on it and wear chains with locket embossed with Baba’s replica. However, the unrest now griping the whole of the State after the spiritual leader’s escapades were exposed certainly is creating much unease in them.
But those who had hunch about the Baba and could not help their anger overtaking them on hearing his ungodly acts have gone on a rampage; burnt his effigy and ransacked his branch ashrams across the State. Many also rushed towards his main ashram in Kendrapada and registered their vehement protests against the spiritual guru. The police had a tough time controlling the mob and keeping the law and order situation.
The expose of a sting operation against the Baba has not wound up with his Hyderabad rendezvous. The fact that more and more skeletons are tumbling out of the Baba’s cupboard painting him as an imposter has been a matter of great consternation for his millions of followers who include not just people next door but State’s who’s who. The allegation that Sarathi ashram was a control room of BJD politics has unnerved the ruling party leaders, including the BJD chief. Result: A hurriedly instituted Crime Branch probe. The revelation that the Baba was paying regular tips to the local cops has also set the proverbial cat among the pigeons. The slur that Sarathi had links with entertainment industry and chit fund operators has set the tongue wagging.