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| Edited By: dna Correspondent |Source: DNA |Updated: Sep 26, 2017, 07:30 AM IST
Baba Ram Rahim’s Udaipur connection is quite interesting. Baba wanted to develop Udaipur as second Sirsa. Therefore, Baba bought huge tracts of land in Udaipur. Dera’s offices were opened. He managed to impress tribals. Baba also wanted to open a five-star hotel in Udaipur. In all, Baba’s Udaipur connection remained a dream unfulfilled.
I have seen Maharana’s photographs with Baba on social media. Baba had paid a courtesy visit. He had gone there to watch shooting of a film. Apart from that there is no news of royal family’s connection with Baba.
People claim Baba had visited Udaipur 4-5 days before his arrest. Honeypreet was with him and both stayed in the same room in Hotel Leela Palace. Honeypreet was basically friend, philosopher and guide to Baba. So, she used to be with him. Honeypreet was main advisor in expansion of his empire in Udaipur.
As far as Pradeep Goyal is concerned, his relationship with Baba is very old. He met Honeypreet in Hotel Leela Palace on Baba’s birthday. Goyal was given some money as they had apprehension that court verdict would be against Baba. Goyal was played a major part in triggering riots in Sirsa. He was given money by them to arrrange crowd from Udaipur and Banswara. Total 22 buses full of people were sent to Sirsa. Each person was paid Rs 25,000.
It is generally believed that Goyal helped Honeypreet to escape to Nepal but it is yet not confirmed whether she reached Nepal or not. She was suspected to be in Sriganganagar but the police didn’t find her there as well. However, if she were to be found in Nepal, Goyal must be having a hand in it.
Initially, Rajasthan police played a good role but seems to be lacking the same intensity perhaps due to some kind of political pressure. It didn’t do anything when Honeypreet was spotted in Barmer. She went for shoppingin a mall in Udaipur but the police couldn’t reach her. So, either the police was casual or its system is weak system because It facilitated Goyal’s arrest but not honeypreet, which is why she is believed to be in Nepal.
I don’t think Baba had direct links with terrorists. It is coincidence that a Khalistani leader was childhood friend of Baba. He had murdered his uncle and went to jail. By the time he came out of jail, he had turned into a big bully and a terrorist. It is being said that Gurjan Singh played a key role in Baba’s accession to ‘gaddi’. So indirectly, it can be said that Gurjan Singh or Khalistani leader helped Baba.
There is fair chance of it as the CBI is working hard to make the case strong.
This is interesting aspect of the film industry. The shooting of this film has started only the time will tell how well it is made and its performance at the box office.
Its most surprising that even after this episode Baba’s craze has not declined. Bhaskar’s survey tells us that only 23% have had a change of heart whereas 95% people said that assets of these babas should be probed while 82% believe religious reasons behind this. So, decline in craze is just 23-24%.
According to a survey 49% people go for employment or business related problems. Only 6% are impressed by magic or future predictions. So, it would be interesting to know why people visit them.
It is a basic question whether their income or trust should be accounted or not. The government needs to take initiative.
It is very easy to become a baba these days. It is a good business now. People who set up a small temple on the national highway a couple of years ago are now raking in big mullahs. It has become a kind of career – without any investment or risk.
It is unfortunate that in this modern age women go to these deras. This is a social embarrassment in Punjab and Haryana. Don’t know why women are going to these babas.
There is a lobby of babas. Most rape incidents took place at their places when women go there. Such babas cannot be defended but one should avoid going to their place.
The rise of babas is due to political support. Political parties look for their votes. This tendency has to be given up. Election commission should take affidavit from political parties that they would not seek support of babas.
Baba is unfortunate to be in jail. Apart from misdeeds bad luck is also a factor.
a line has to be drawn between TRP and media ethics. Some channels have been running fantacy stories about his illicit relationships. Some control must be applied. There should be a code of conduct.
It is a social issue. Superstition has to be abandoned. Law & order is necessary. Physical verification of deras is must. What local police station does? All type of stories circulating be it or human skeletons. There should be a record of donations, it should come under RTI and no one should be allowed to misuse people’s faith.
