By Abdul Rashid Agwan, MM News,
Dwarakapeeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand is in the whirlwind of controversy by calling Hindus to refrain from Shirdi ke Sai Baba as he was a ‘Muslim Fakir’. He denounced that the cult of Sai Baba has become so much popular among Hindus that the total income of the Sai temple is nearing that of Tirupati temple. He also blamed that Sai Baba was said to be disinclined to take bath in Ganga River, a sign that he was not conforming to the Hindu beliefs. According to him, Sai Baba was non-vegetarian and hence cannot be revered by Hindus. He also blamed that Sai Baba was a product of the British design to divide Hindus.
I happened to visit Sai Mandir at Lodhi Colony, New Delhi in 1987 where we used to put a book stall of Islamic literature on every Thursday for the benefit of devotees coming over there. I saw at that time that there were no idols in the ground floor of the two-storied temple building and a clean green velvet sheet could be seen on a platform where devotees used to offer rose petals by scattering them on the sheet. A kind of sweet called Sinni, typical of any Muslim Dargah, was distributed by the devotees who happened to pay homage at the ground floor to other devotees. At the upper story there was a typical Hindu section full of idols of Hindu pantheon along with an idol of Sai Baba himself. Hindu rituals were practiced there during the worship of Sai Baba. Thus, Sai Temple at Lodhi Road seemed to me a curious example of mixed spirituality.
One strange incident happened there. After our earnest experiment on the site for the introduction of Islam to the thronging visitors for 2-3 Thursdays, some of the Hindu venders, selling various items of worship outside the temple, complaint to the management of the temple against selling of Islamic books there. A policeman along with a Pujari came and objected the presence of our stall. Just when I was arguing with them, a gentleman coming from outside interrupted. I saw the Pujari saluting him. The gentleman, we came to know during our talk that he was from Kanpur, heard our appeal and allowed us to continue our work and told that his father was in the top hierarchy of the temple management and he could be contacted if any one objects our initiative further. However, we could not continue our strange experiment in interfaith interaction any more, being unwanted there.
This reminiscence gives a distinct view regarding the Sai cult. May be it originated from a Muslim saint and preserved many features of Sufi traditions but it has fallen in total control of Hindu devotees who worship Sai Baba along with other Hindu deities; however, many of these devotees do not have any aversion against Islam and Muslims. Shankaracharya’s information that Muslims do not form part of the devotees of Sai Baba is only partially true as many Muslims could be seen visiting Sai temples in Delhi, Shirdi and other places but definitely their visibility is much less.
However, it looks strange why the Shankaracharya raised the issue at the present time and while rejecting a large group of Hindu devotees to be Sanatani Hindus? His media reported comparison of the incomes of Tirupati Balaji Temple with Shridi Sai Temple may be taken as a clue.
Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan Trust has recorded Rs 1441 crore of income during five years ending in 2013, with 22 per cent higher donations received every year, whereas the current budget of Tirupati Devsthanam reached Rs 2400 crore this year. The annual income of Veshno Devi temple is considered to be around Rs 500 crore. The most revered shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath respectively score incomes of Rs 10 crore and 5 crore a year. Jagannath Mandir’s income stands lower than Rs 150 crore. Thus, it is only the Shridi Sai Baba temple, which is competing with the richest deity in the country, Balaji of Tirupati.
It is reported that about 20,000 devotees used to visit the Saibaba’s shrine daily some five years back, but the present figures show that around 60,000 people come to visit the temple everyday and the number goes up to about one lakh on weekends. In terms of devotees, Sai Baba of Shridi has overtaken the Balaji of Tirupati which is thronged by 50,000 pilgrims a day.
The Shankaracharya’s opinion that Sai Baba of Shirdi is coming in the way of Ayodhya movement may be substantiated from the fact that only 7000-8000 pilgrims visit Ayodhya per day as compared to eight times more visitors per day to Shirdi and all efforts to make Ayodhya acquire religious eminence among Hindus have so far failed.
The controversy has inadvertently brought Islam and Muslims into the debate. Sai Baba of Shirdi preached monotheism by inculcating that “Lord of all the people is One”. He spread his precepts from a small mosque in Shridi village of the time, called by him as Dwarkamai Masjid. Such an approach instill a tolerant tendency among Hindus as regards other persuasions.
Sai Baba is not a single example of Muslim saints’ influence on the Hindu society. There are instances of many Sufi saints whom mainly Muslims revere but they also receive devotion of many Hindus. The typical example of the shrine of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer may be considered here. Shirdi gives a reverse view wherein Hindus are the main devotees and Muslims are lesser in number. However, the Balaji Temple of Tirupati, many Rama temples of Ayodhya, Veshno Devi of Katra, Jagannath temple of Puri, Kedarnath-Badrinath temples, Kashi Vishvanath temple of Varanasi, etc enjoy exclusive devotion of Hindus.
Kabir Panth is a typical sect now pursued only by Hindus, although all the modern objective studies depict Kabir as a discrete Islamic preacher. Kabir’s preaching illuminated the way of many great saints of medieval time such as Guru Nanak. In a way the entire Bhakti movement echoes of Muslim influence under the waves of teachings of Kutban, Manjhan, Jayasi, Abdur Rahim Khankhana, Ras Khan, Dadu and many others. Raja Ram Mohan Roy formed Brahmo Samaj by synthesizing teachings of Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Ram Krishna Paramhans is known for his appreciation for Islam. The modern maestros as Shri Ram Sharma, the founder of Gayatri Pariwar movement and J. Krishnamurti founder of another Hindu movement are said to be the descendants of lesser known chains of Muslim saints.
By raising a controversy on the increasing devotion of Hindus on Sai Baba of Shirdi, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka has only negated the whole legacy of Bhakti movement. His attempt to discredit any meaningful movement among Hindus having inclination towards a Muslim saint reveals the increasing intolerance among some sections of the country and also the frustration on the declining support for the Ayodhya movement in spite of all recent efforts by Hindu organizations.
The Shankaracharya blames the followers of Sai Baba cult for dividing the Hindu society but his own attempt to create an issue out of a non-issue may lead to this divide in an unimagined way. Already members of Ramakrishna Mission have declared themselves as non-Hindus. If the present controversy goes on unabated then the adherents of Sai Baba may also follow suit.
[The contributor is a known interfaith activist and an author of many books including his recent rendering “Islam in 21st Century: The Dynamics of Change and Future-making”. He may be contacted on agwan@rediffmail.com]
Hindus are very Liberal. That’s why, even being in a huge Hindu majority, India is still Secular. Hindus don’t believe in killing each-other to spread the religion. Peace is the Foundation stone of this great religion.
Other religions should learn from this and practise peace around the world, not terrorism.
Hinduism is too great to be affected by stupid and lowly comments.
do u know how many have been killed during India partition, Babri Masjid demolition and subsequent riots, anti sikh riots? Would you ignore treatment of poor strata of society (the untouchables) by Hindus? OR to say Sati practice?
Well I agree that there are lots of good Hindus. Bad people are there among Hindus as well, so do in any other religion
Dear Abdul,
I agree with all your comments and I want to bring some of thing that don’t bring at least Sikh riots here it’s complete political drive…and true hindu never support sickularism congress…and all thing which u have mentioned most of them have non-existed now…only cast system exit in village which will soon eliminate…because of education…this show that Hindu are progressive by religion which obviously ever religion are…the problem only come when we claim superiority.
I wish all the bad things soon eliminates. But problems are far more than u appreciate (only caste system). Female infanticides is still a problem, anti women violence, anti-muslim riots, police brutality especially against the Muslims, and of course the economic corruption.
Hindus are very liberal that is why so communal riots took place in the country since independence, not single day goes off without any violence in the name of religion. the writer conveniently forgot about recent gory murder of young Pune techie by Hindu mobs in Pune. India is not secular because of Hindus but out of compulsion as there is no unifying force or uniformity in religious practice. Even the Supreme Court had difficulty to describe Hinduism as religion. See the SC rulings on Hindu religion related cases. Don’t try to be smart and see bitter truths before making any comments objectively .
Hi Imaran,
You talk about independence then let bring Pakistan and Bangaladesh also and see the condition of Minority there…Name one single popular person for minority community from these 2 country….I do agree that religious fundamentalist should not be support from any religion and believe me all religion have liberal voice…but all religious voice does speak for humanity except I am sorry to say brother Muslim….why minority have not prosper in muslim country only because people who are progress in this country keep mum when something inhuman happen to minority
This is ONLY for literate and logical people (not for LOSERS):
“Hindus are liberal” means more than 98% hindus are liberal and peace loving. Otherwise, all of 1.25 Billion Indians would have been forcibly transformed into Hinduism by now.
We don’t want a Hindu India, we want a developed India. Thats the greatness of Hinduism i.e. Peace and Growth of all.
Sarv Dharm Sambhav (All Religions are Equal)…not HARAM.
I wont comment on this anymore. So all the LOSERS, be True Indians.
Jai Hind.
This issue of Sai Baba has been tossed purposefully in the public to divert the attention of the public from price rise. As the new government has failed to bring ‘ACCHE DIN AYENGE’ as such they will keep public mind busy in religion issue. More & more issues relted with relgion will be there in the media.
i am totally agree with Mr Kumar as the Modi government failed to deliver. even it cannot control spiraling prices.
honey its money
most preachers of religion have their shops irrespective of religion
over 20 lakh children die before reaching one years age in India
one child goes missing every 8 minutes in India
50 % of population dont have toilets
does it really matter what sai baba was,the so called saints
should give their attention to above points
also in a malnourished society how come all the present day preachers from all reliogions are obese and overweight.The should bother more about their health,eat less and preach less and practise more
Shankaracharya is not against any religion, what he is saying is that when he was asked by a repoter that do u conseder sai as a Hindu god he said no because in our holly books there is no mention of sai baba as hindu god, Murti puja can be of only gods according to our holly books That’s y u dont see murti puja of anybody else like Mira bai, Swmi vivekanand, sur das, Ram KRISHNA Paramhans, Chatany maha prabhu and many others. In matter of Religion if he being the highest dharam Guru of Hindu religion he will not speak then who else. Shankaracharya alsois freedom fighter twice being jailed actively particapated in Quit Indian Movement. Sai baba himself never worshiped any idiols those who are idiol worshiping sai baba is against sai baba’s faith only it is against sai baba’s belife. Sai baba will be more happy if people will go to his dargha than doing murti puja.
A personality is decided by his thoughts and actions.thoughts and actions are the product of habits been followed at home nourished by repeated advice or lecture by elders pro or against a certain thought,belief or a myth.At the bottom of all these you will hardly find facts.After repeated hearing and prejudice we all tend to have inclination or dejection towards a particular religion.This is what happens in India.Thoughts against or for a particular religion starts from home…our elders.The young ones of today are elders of tomorrow,and this prejudice will continue.
Wisdom is the answer for all the prejudice.A person with intellect and wisdom will treat all religions as one and the same…he will look and differentiate what is good or bad for the country.This just not apply to India but will apply to our neighbouring countries too.
Much of all the things I mentioned above lies in the texts and holy scriptures of all the religion..but how many really follow..?The efficacy of all the religions have vanished.If things were to happen as per the scriptures and guidance given in our holy books…we would not be seeing all rapes…corruption,selfishness…today’s religion(be it islam or hinduism) is a mere skeleton without life…One needs to analyse this and introspect..
I hope things will get backto the path of progress in due course.
Thankyou..