From stitching clothes to being spiritual ‘Baby Doll’, Radhe Maa laps it up

In recent times, a large number of spiritual leaders have been convicted. People are losing faith in such religious gurus. Radhe Maa, again a controversial spiritual leader who is infamous for her flashy dressing style, pomp and show, speaks with Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO ZEE Regional Channels on varied topics. In a candid interview, she disclosed why she is having lakhs of followers and what spiritualism means to her. An excerpt:

JC: When you were 17-18 years old and took to stitching for a living, had you ever thought that you would have lakhs of followers?

RM: I was 17 when I got married. I am daughter of Sardar Ajeet Singh SDC. I have two brothers – Sardar Sukhbir Singh and Sardar Nirmal Singh. If God wants then even dumb can sing and blind can get eyes then why won’t I think of having followers. I have no complaint against media. It can show whatever it wants. I wonder who am I and what is my objective? Till date no one can say that Radhe Maa has duped anyone. Nikki, who had levelled allegation against me, is no way related to me. The way people come to darbar of Mata, she also came.

How you leaned towards religion?

When in pain, people gets tilted towards religion. I loved my mother very much. When I lost her, I diverted myself to scriptures and religious activities. I got married at a tender age. My husband also went to foreign leaving me alone. I would listen to Gurbani and I gradually immersed myself in it.

Have you christened yourself as Radhe Maa or followers have given this name?

My father used to think that I have gone mad after my husband left me. I am not crazy. People consider devotees as mad. My father took me to Ramadeen Das Baba at the age of 21. Immediately after looking at me, Baba said I am Chandi. I have got energy which has to be channelised. He said to me Jai Jai Maa, Jai Jai Maa. Everyone in the world tried to finish me off. But I fought and I came here. I will give this credit to my Guru and Mata Rani.

When did you come to Mumbai?

I came to Mumbai 14 years back. Someone gave me idol of Mata Rani and since then I started loving Mata. I would close the door and dance and people became followers. The devotee whose wishes got fulfilled would gift me a dress. If I go before God in a pretty dress, will He get angry with me? I belong to a small place and I have come closer to God by wearing pretty outfits.

You are Grihastha as well as Sanyasin?

I had quit Grihasthi 27 years back. My life is an open book.

In case of Ram Rahim, you had said that you won’t take guarantee of any Baba and you are pure?

I keep on making my devotees understand that keep yourself clean, pure.

Do you think Baba was really like that or he fell victim to media trial?

Why should I bother? He did whatever he wanted to do. I am giving the world a message that love your parents, take care of them. No one is more important than them.

When you were in Punjab then had you ever met him?

I don’t meet Babas. Many saints come to my ashram. I respect them a lot.

Do you also have a Gufa like Ram Rahim?

My Gufa is not tarnished.

Why people call you religious Guru?

I am a spiritual being not a religious Guru. I believe in humanity.

What is your spiritual teaching?

Temple is also good, Mosque is also good and Gurudwara is also good. Just change your thinking.

People mix religion with politics. How do you look at it in view of votebank?

I will never enter politics. Whosoever gets into it, s/he can’t remain saint, can’t be sanyasi… he is gone.

How do you rate Narendra Modi as Prime Minister? What do you feel?

Initially he did a great job but nowadays people are getting negative… my heart says that in coming time he will change his thoughts and he should.

You are a lady, did you ever get threatened from the male dominated society?

If religious people need security then life is damned. Why security is required for religious people?

In India, it is said that every beautiful woman has a threat from somebody somewhere.

If I am destined to die than death can happen even inside the security cover.

When girls are in tender age, there is likelihood of sexual harassment… have you ever experienced this?

Many times.

How did you handle that?

By remembering God.

Government is running campaign of Beti Bacaho, beti padhao… don’t you want to get associated with social work?

I am associated with it… You find it on google.

You speak about good things, you are a good human being then why so many court cases against you?

All battles of the world come before me.

What was there in Talli, you sat in his lap?

There was no mistake of his nor of mine.

You are very popular among police… they start dancing while looking at you at the airport?

Where ever I go people make my Gufa there, set up chauki of Radhe Maa.

What kind of miracle you show that you have lakhs of followers?

This only my devotees can tell. I don’t know.

Do you think you have got divine power?

I think I have got positive energy. I never want to think negative. I don’t get angry even if anyone hits me 100 times with shoes.

People say that if you touch Prasad with your mouth then life of that person improves, how this perception came into being?

When I have the Prasad, people take it out from my mouth and say that I have given them. Where is my mistake?

And they also say that whenever you become happy you climb on the lap, like you climb on the lap of Talli Baba and his life changed.

This is an allegation against me. I have stopped this. I don’t want any controversy in life I am trying I should not sit in any body’s lap. I am not  scared of dying but afraid of getting hurt.