Baba Love: Love them, hate them, you just can’t ignore spiritual Babas crowding our elections!
Meet some leading spiritual babas who have campaigned for politicians, influenced voters and even fought elections themselves!
Babas are known to preach — but certainly, they want their words to be heard in the political circles as well.
Meet some babas, from Computer Baba to Fakkad Baba and Swami Om, who have had a say in Lok Sabha 2019's mega-election.
Computer Baba who doesn’t click
The Election Commission has filed an FIR against the so-called Computer Baba — for organising a yoga camp to help Congress leader Digvijay Singh win elections. Well!
Who is this Computer Baba anyway? And how is he a Baba? He should have been part of the yoga session himself, considering he was seen relaxing on a white mattress looking at people doing yoga. He could have done some asanas himself.
In fact, do you know his real name — Namdeo Das Tyagi. Three years ago, he became semi-famous for having sought permission to land his helicopter on the ghats during the Kumbh Mela.
In 2014, he was one of the contenders for an AAP ticket — thankfully though, Arvind Kejriwal didn’t log on to this baba. Incredible as it may sound, Computer Baba, with all his influence, was made a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government when the BJP was in power. He exited that role soon.
Shri Shri 1008 Shri Hari Giri Maharaj Ji
Heard of him? Maybe not. Well, then, you haven’t been to Madhya Pradesh.
Under the influence of Baba, 80% of Gujjars have stopped consuming liquor. If someone is caught consuming alcohol, the community imposes a fine of Rs 11,000 on them.
In the Morena Parliamentary seat in Madhya Pradesh, it is Baba Hari Giri Maharaj whose words weigh the most. He hasn’t openly cited whom he has asked his supporters to vote for — but it is rumouredly true that he might ask people to vote in favour of the Congress.
But Baba ji, what about your teachings? Are you diluting your own words about seeking eternal life for a far less ethereal political start?
Fakkad Baba
Meet a baba called Fakkad — he has been contesting elections, both in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, since 1976 from Mathura.
Guess what — he hasn’t won even a single one.
He says that his guru said that he will be successful on his 20th attempt.
This baba still has three more chances to go — the only worry is his age as he’s 76.
But Fakkad Babab does not seem unduly worried about that. In fact, this year, he has taken on Hema Malini in the elections.
Swami Om
Have we forgotten a self-proclaimed godman who would insult fellow contestants on television roundly and heatedly?
Apparently, after coming out of Big Boss house, Swami Om is not finding much ground to make himself heard or get some attention.
The Big Boss contestant wanted to contest elections from New Delhi constituency this year as he was apprently fed up with the way Arvind Kejriwal was treating Hindus. However, again, incredible though this may sound, his candidature went nowhere and he was not able to fight the elections.