'Getting media to blacklist Kalki was one achievement'

We’ve witnessed a proliferation of fake godmen, who are like unscrupulous businessmen with sharp marketing skills, says Vishwanath Swami, a Chennai-based social activist, in conversation with DNA.

What prompted you to start your crusade against godmen?
When I was working as a social activist in villages around Kalki Ashram near the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border, I learned that Kalki Bhagwan was collecting crores of rupees as donations for the purpose of building houses for the poor in the villages. Not a single house was built, however.

The man was just making money. I wanted to expose that. So in 2001, I began to collect documentary evidence. I filed three cases against him after gathering proof of his illegal activities. One case was disposed of; the others are still going on. I had known Kalki as a colleague. I knew him as an ordinary man who graduated after several failed attempts; he also had frequent quarrels with his wife.

Overnight, he became a godman. And that brought him a lot of wealth. That is the story of many of our godmen. They understand the psychology of ordinary people looking for solace in religion, and they know how to market themselves aggressively.
 
What could be done to clip the wings of fake godmen?
In Maharashtra, a few activists are trying to bring in legislation to curb the activities of godmen. There has to be some way to prevent these men from land-grabbing, amassing black money, and indulging in sex secretly. Without any laws to stop them, many of these men can expand their wealth and influence, and build luxurious hotel-like accommodation for visiting devotees.

As an activist, I have been trying to gather documentary evidence and expose them in court. Also, I try to spread the word whenever I get a chance, addressing people and working with the media. I would count it my first achievement that I managed to get Kalki Bhagwan blacklisted in the media.
 
But would you say all godmen are dubious?
I have nothing against babas or gurus or godmen. There are a few genuine people doing good work. We had luminaries like J Krishnamurthy, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Buddha. Their lives were their message. If the guru leads a life of example, counsels and guides people without discrimination between rich and poor, one can have no complaints. People in our country have a simple faith, and look to gurus for help in their everyday problems.

But many of the fake gurus seek out foreign devotees and exploit them. Their courses come at a premium, and rates for foreign devotees are higher than those offered to locals. I have visited many ashrams, I have stayed in a number of them. Most godmen are inspired by the same ambitions — to become popular, to have unlimited money, to win the favour of powerful politicians and celebrities. Some would even like private helipads and airstrips.