Guru Poornima celebrations called off to condemn Mumbai blasts

Social reformer, Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, has called off Guru Poornima celebrations to protest against inhuman misdeeds by terrorists in the recent Mumbai blasts.

Guru Poornima, which was on July 15, has traditionally been celebrated on a grand scale in the city by Sadguru Dutt Dharmik and Parmarthik Trust since 2001.

Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, fondly referred to as ‘dada’ or elder brother, startled followers by saying, “My trust does not have money to celebrate the function”. He clarified that his trust is busy in organising mass marriages, planting saplings, distributing scholarships and educating the tribal poor.

Bhaiyyuji Maharaj instead has asked his followers to save money and spend it on humanitarian causes. “A lot of my followers come from afar and spend up to Rs5,000 on their trip. My message to them is to plant a sapling and water it, considering they are performing ‘pada pujan’ of guru,” he said.