New Delhi: The Sanatan Rakshak Dal removed idols of Sai Baba from several temples in Varanasi, including the prominent Bada Ganesh Temple.
In some temples, Sai Baba statues were covered with clothes. The group claimed that the worship of Sai Baba contradicts Hindu scriptures, a report in the Hindustan Times said.
Rammu Guru, head priest of Bada Ganesh Temple, stated, “Sai Baba was worshipped without proper knowledge, which is forbidden according to the scriptures.”
Shankar Puri, the head priest of Annapurna Temple, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that there is no mention of Sai Baba’s worship in religious texts. Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi temple supported the removal, saying, “Sai Baba cannot be regarded as a ‘Bhagvaan’ (God). He may be a ‘dharm guru’ (religious preacher) or ‘mahapurush’ (a great person), but not a deity.”
Ajay Sharma, president of Sanatan Rakshak Dal, confirmed that Sai Baba’s statues had been removed from 10 temples in Varanasi and there are plans to remove more from other temples in the coming days. He emphasized that only Lord Shiva, as the supreme deity, should be worshipped in Varanasi.
However, this action has sparked outrage among Sai Baba devotees. Samar Ghosh, the priest of a Sai Temple in Varanasi, condemned the move, saying, “Those who claim to be Sanatanis today are the same people who initially placed Sai Baba in temples. Removing him now is a divisive act that hurts people’s faith.”
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi criticised the move, accusing the BJP and its supporters of politicising religion. “Sanatan Dharm is inclusive, and this act of fanaticism is not in the country’s interest,” Hindvi said.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh Sajan accused the BJP of playing with people’s faith and creating divisions, noting, “Sai Baba has millions of followers, and the Constitution does not endorse discrimination. Who are we to do so?”
Sai Baba, a revered spiritual leader known for his teachings of love, forgiveness, and unity across religious lines, continues to inspire devotees worldwide. The Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi states that Sai Baba transcends religious distinctions and is worshipped as a God incarnate.