I always used to feel proud during my childhood when we were taught in school that India is a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic” without even knowing the real meaning of these big words. Probably even the school teachers didn’t know the actual meaning. They just taught what was written in the book and were done with their job! At least we learnt the “terms” like parrots just because we went to school. The people, who never saw the school or school books due to any reason, might not even know the terms. As such, the very “prescribed” and little “described” character of our nation is not very apparent in any sphere, there is a chance that those people will die even without realizing that they lived in a country with such a great character.
Anyway, the most important thing I would like to mention here is that Indian state was not secular and socialist from the beginning…I mean when the constitution was framed. On 18th December,1976, during emergency, Indira Gandhi made changes in the preamble and 42nd amendment made it to read the way we know it “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic”. Some people might be already on their second honeymoon when this addition was made in the school books. Most of our political leaders had finished their schools before this addition was made. So, obviously they are not very sure about the meaning of these words. I would like to concentrate on the word “SECULAR”. Contrary to what people think, the word secular does not mean “tolerance to all religions”. It actually means that the state machinery should be totally independent of religious influences and no political leaders are allowed to participate in or organize religious rituals at least openly.
Today is 23rd November, birthday of Sathya Sai Baba, a person who is worshipped like God by many. Some are awed by his cheap magic tricks which he call “miracles”( which even a 5 year old kid can perform provided he knows the logic behind them) and think he has some supernatural powers. Many infertile couples were blessed by kids after visiting him. Everyone might say it’s his blessing but BBC and Scientists and Rationalists Association of India had already exposed the truth behind his blessing and other frauds too.. Only the couples who had infertile husbands were lucky enough to be blessed by him. Many male followers have spoken about their first hand experience about his homosexual acts in the name of closed door meetings. He is out and out a religious leader propagating the idea of superstitions and making fool out of innocent, ignorant and gullible people.
Our Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, President, L K Advani, Ashok Chhavan, Karnataka CM – Mr Yeddyurappa among others had gone to Puttaparthi town, abode of Sathya Sai Baba to celebrate his birthday. Being the PM of a secular nation, it’s highly unethical to participate in the celebration and encouraging it by paying personal visits to such a religious leader. It is also a slap in the face of everyone who did the tedious task of framing Indian constitution and who did modifications in it for the betterment of the country. Here Mrs Indira Gandhi is being insulted by him right away. What example a prime Minister will set in front of millions if he too supports religious fanatics, superstitions, sexual molestations and frauds done by Sathya Sai Baba? When it is the duty of Dr Manmohan Singh to see that such an imposter gets arrested as soon as possible for the betterment of the society, he is spending the money paid as taxes by that very “society” to go to Puttaparthi and wish Baba a long life so that he can cheat more and spread his superstitious ideas to many. How will it look if he is found drinking Baba’s “charnamrit” and putting “vibhuti” on his forehead?
On one side he goes to Sathya Sai Baba to seek his blessings ( that means he obviously believes in his powers) and on the other side he is again found spending relentlessly from the tax money to fund operations like “Green hunt” in which innocent tribals (who too are Indian citizens) are being tortured, raped and killed. Mr PM don’t you think Sathya Sai Baba can solve this problem of yours? I mean, if you really believe in his supernatural powers, he alone is more than enough to squish this Maoist Insurgency. What is the need of deputing CRPF, police and others to torture and kill protesting Kashmiris? His supernatural powers are enough to solve this Kashmir issue for once and forever. Why breaking your head tackling terrorism? Let Baba handle it in supernatural way. Or is it like that even you don’t believe in him and his powers in reality? What a mockery at Baba! What an insult to Sathya Sai Baba and his true, faithful followers!
I would like to draw the attention of Baba’s true followers here. I can understand the people who really believe in him and go to him because they think that he can solve all their problems. But what are these PM, CM and others doing around Baba? If they really believe in him, why would they struggle hard to solve their problems in natural and scientific way rather than going to Baba with those problems, who can solve those in a blink? In real sense even these political leaders are imposters!
I request Dr Manmohan Singh to leave this hypocrisy for once and come out straight. What do you actually believe in – “Sathya Sai Baba or Operation Green Hunt”? Choosing both is an insult to so many, including Sathya sai baba himself which his ardent followers won’t tolerate.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka had a closed door meeting with Baba. First thing that comes to mind is “To satisfy Baba?” May be he just went to discuss the political problems he is facing due to some frauds exposed against him by the opposition.
Another thing which is quite noticeable here is Sathya Sai Baba himself is providing a protective umbrella of blessings to people like Manmohan Singh, Yeddyurappa, Ratan Tata who have been named in recent scams and scandals. People who feel that they are being cheated by the government over and again but at the same time are faithful followers of Sathya Sai Baba, don’t they feel this like a blow to their faith and respect for Baba? When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, When he should do something to root out the problems of his followers, Baba himself invited those people and has been taking advantage of innocence of all who blindly follow him. What a mockery of their faith!
4th August 2010
By: Debashis
Vice President , Science and Rationalists’ Association of India
RATIONALIST DEBASHIS 
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