Sai Baba Idol Removal Sparks Outrage in Varanasi: What’s Behind the Controversy?

Varanasi Temple Row: Sai Baba Idols Taken Down Amidst Growing Controversy.

The removal of Sai Baba statues from Varanasi temples by Hindutva outfits has sparked controversy over religious inclusion and practices.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Varanasi | Oct 2, 2024:: A contentious debate has erupted in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, following the removal of Sai Baba statues from the prominent Bada Ganesh Temple and Purushottam Temple. Hindu nationalist organizations had objected to the presence of Sai idols, asserting they have no place in temples dedicated to traditional Hindu deities. Yielding to pressure, temple authorities relented to the removal, fueling discussions on religious practices and un-scriptural and un-authorised inclusion Sai Baba worship in Sanatan Hindu Dharma. This incident, however, is merely the latest chapter in the long-standing controversy surrounding Sai Baba idols.

Varanasi’s Bada Ganesh Temple Removes Sai Baba Statue Amid Controversy

In a move sparking debate, the Sanatan Rakshak Dal removed the Sai Baba statue from Varanasi’s revered Bada Ganesh Temple on Sunday night. Citing incompatibility with Sanatan Dharma, Ajay Sharma, the group’s president, asserted that Sai Baba has no place in Kashi’s temples. On Monday, Sanatan Rakshak Dal members gathered at the historic Lohatia Bada Ganesh Temple, a daily destination for thousands of devotees. They wrapped the five-foot Sai statue in cloth and relocated it outside the temple premises.

Ajay Sharma, state president of the Sanatan Rakshak Dal, said, “Only the worship of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity, should take place in Kashi (Varanasi).” Respecting the sentiments of devotees, statues of Sai Baba have already been removed from 10 temples. “In the coming days, statues will also be removed from the Agastyakunda and Bhuteshwar temples,” he added.

Rammu Guru, the head priest of the Bada Ganesh Temple, said, “Sai Baba was being worshiped without proper knowledge, which is forbidden according to scriptures.”

Similarly, Shankar Puri, the head priest of the Annapurna Temple, said, “There is no mention of the worship of Sai Baba in the scriptures.”

Meanwhile, Mahant of Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi temple Raju Das told PTI, “Sai can be a ‘dharm guru’ (religious preacher), a ‘mahapurush’ (a great person), a ‘peer’ or an ‘aulia’, but he cannot be a ‘Bhagvaan’ (God) or ‘Avtar’ (Incarnation). I am thankful to the person in Varanasi who has removed the idol (of Sai Baba). I urge all the Sanatanis in the country to remove the idol of ‘Chaand Peer’ (Sai Baba) from the temples.”

Sai Baba in the Court of Law

The controversy surrounding Sai Baba’s worship and idol removal has been ongoing for years. In 2014, the Supreme Court declined to intervene in a dispute sparked by the Shankaracharya of Dwarkapeeth Swami Swarupananda Saraswati‘s comments on worshiping Sai Baba, which led to derogatory remarks and removal of his idol from several temples.

Recently, a similar petition was filed at the Madras High Court, seeking the removal of Sai Baba idols from temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The petitioner argues that Sai Baba, being a Muslim saint, should not be worshiped in Hindu temples, as it contradicts the Agamas, ancient scriptures governing temple rituals and deity worship in Hinduism.

The debate revolves around the question of whether Sai Baba’s idol belongs in Hindu temples. Some consider him a saint and a symbol of unity, while others see his worship as incompatible with traditional Hindu practices. The issue remains contentious, with various groups and individuals holding differing opinions on the matter.

Read also: Sai Baba Idols Removed From 14 Temples, Hindu Organisations Target 28 More…

According to historical records and ‘Sai Satcharitra’ – a biography of Sai Baba, Shirdi Sai was born as a Muslim- Chand Muhammad, whose father was engaged as a spy of Britishers. Sai opted his dwelling place in a masjid (mosque) and the name of Allah was ever on his lips. Not only that Sai distributed kichdi prasad mixed with meat and had his aim to alleviate Sanatan faith from his Hindu disciples.

It is alleged that the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, is running a big network in many independent places and Hindu temples to erect separate Sai Baba Temples in order to collect huge offerings/donations on 50:50 basis (50% to spend/use in local temple levels and 50% to send to Shirdi Saibaba Trust). The network works as profiteering agency than any spiritual mission.

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__Inputs from PTI, News ABP Live and Zee News.