{"id":349381,"date":"2024-07-16T01:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T06:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/?p=349381"},"modified":"2024-07-17T01:11:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T06:41:30","slug":"political-manoeuvrings-at-play-to-protect-bhole-baba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/political-manoeuvrings-at-play-to-protect-bhole-baba\/","title":{"rendered":"Political manoeuvrings at play to protect Bhole Baba"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Will the self-styled godman Bhole Baba, go unpunished and escape arrest? Also, why label this entire tragedy a \u2018conspiracy\u2019 when the SDM\u2019s preliminary report on stampede did not indicate its possibility ? …by Humra Quraishi<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A total of 121 human beings declared dead during the stampede at Hathras!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 2 July, deadly stampede happened after a ‘satsang’ (religious gathering), at a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, killing 121 people. Many more were injured and ruined and devastated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will the self-styled godman, Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, go unpunished and escape arrest? Bhole Baba seems to be tucked away in some safe refuge. It is strange that a certain political lobby and particular politicians appear to be adopting an obvious strategy to protect this man, who has had a rather tainted past record. News reports state that he was forced into compulsory retirement from the police department, where he served as a constable, after facing serious charges<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Also, why label this entire tragedy a \u201cconspiracy\u201d when the SDM\u2019s (Sub divisional magistrate) preliminary report on the stampede is this:  \u201cA crowd of more than 2 lakh people was present in the pandal. Around 1.40 pm, when Bhole Baba came out of the pandal, his followers started running towards him for \u2018darshan\u2019 and to collect the soil on which he had walked\u2026Baba\u2019s personal security and \u2018sevadars\u2019 started pushing and shoving the crowd due to which some people fell down. The crowd ran towards the open field where most of the people slipped and fell due to the wet slope.\u201d Incidentally, this SDM gave permission for the \u2018satsang\u2019, and was also present at the venue when the incident occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Refugee Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every  year on the  World  Refugee  Day (20 June, 2024),  I sit thinking of the sufis who had come  from the  Central  Asian Republics and also from Iraq and Iran, seeking refuge in  the  Kashmir valley. They reached the Valley and did not move further. They settled down, and the local population accepted them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their dargahs and ziarats, dotted in and around Srinagar city,  reminds one of that period  in history when these sufis had travelled  to the Kashmir valley. Many reached there as refugees, fleeing their home countries in search of peace. And in all probability must have found tranquility in such abundance in the Kashmir valley that none of them went back to their homelands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look how times have changed. Today, refugees in the world are finding the going to be tough\u2026tougher it gets for them. Obviously the refugees of today cannot be expected to turn sufis or demonstrate mystical powers but surely they be accepted as they are. And don’t overlook the fact that seeking refuge is a state of mind. So many times don’t we just close our eyes and mentally transport ourselves, as though finding ways and means of escape, from one particular situation to the next, which could be a little further away from painful realities and insecurities of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The tragic end of Guru Dutt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guru Dutt\u2019s birthday passed on July 9th. \u2026 And upcoming, in August, are the birthdays of some very  extraordinary persons: poet Gulzar, writer Khushwant  Singh, and veteran actress Vyjayanthimala Bali.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the past several birthdays of Guru Dutt – 9 July – I do make it a point to read or rather re-read journalist Sathya Saran\u2019s book \u2013 \u2018Ten Years with Guru Dutt : Abrar Alvi\u2019s Journey\u2019 (Penguin). This book, launched several summers back, captures several details about Guru Dutt,  the genius filmmaker  and actor \u2026In fact, let me add, Guru Dutt was a great looking genius! His emotionally charged eyes relayed much. He was one of those men equipped with a set of potent eyes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though I had never met him, I have been his ardent admirer. Each time I saw him on the big screen, I felt drawn to his emotion-laden eyes! Of course, not to brush aside all that melancholy hovering around his personality \u2026till, of course, he took his  life at the  age of  39.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this backgrounder, I never miss reading anything or everything related to him. I have read every possible input on him. I had also viewed Nasreen Munni Kabir\u2019s documentary film on him – In Search of Guru Dutt<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I was keen to get answers to that tragic suspense – why did Guru Dutt kill himself? Those relevant \u2018whys\u2019 to that tragic end?  Why was he going through that phase of severe depression? Why couldn\u2019t his immediate family or even that supposed actress-lover be there for him? Why was he left all alone that night \u2013 that particular night when he was in acute  depression, so much so that he killed himself during the course of that  night?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that documentary when Waheeda Rahman came on the screen, one was somewhat sure that she would utter something relevant. But I overlooked the fact that she was a seasoned actress. So, she spoke in that absolutely well-guarded way. She spoke only from the film’s point of view. No, she didn\u2019t touch on the personal, but spoke only from the  angle that he was a director of this or that film and those connected films – related aspects …She spoke   in a synthetic way and left one hugely disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But,  in contrast, Guru Dutt\u2019s sister, Lalitha Lajmi, spoke out in that forthright way, in that documentary film\u2026As the camera focused on her, her eyes seemed focusing on the floor and  she\u2019d said that her brother, Guru Dutt seemed to be possessed with one of those  personalities that could be best  described as \u201cdisturbed  \u2026on earlier occasions too he tried to commit  suicide\u2026once he was in coma for  three days.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And  as  the camera focused  on  Guru Dutt\u2019s mother, sitting on what seemed like a wooden bed or takht<\/em>, she spoke in a  matter-of -fact  tone, describing Guru Dutt\u2019s childhood personality traits in these words: \u201cHe was  very stubborn \/ziddi  \u2026and  did  whatever  obsessed  him. And at times he would ask such questions that I thought I would go crazy answering them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It gets significant to point out that all the commentators came to  one single conclusion – that Guru Dutt  was a  little too  sensitive, a  little  too  different, and little too passionate-cum- humane  for  the Bollywood industry. One of the commentators even said that if Guru Dutt  would ever  lie, his ears would \u2018blush!\u2019!  I suppose, turn red! So obviously how could such an emotionally sensitive man survive in the harsh scenario of the filmi world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shatrughan Sinha carries a personality !<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shatrughan Sinha has been in the news, this time for apolitical reasons. I must say he and his spouse looked so very graceful at their daughter Sonakshi\u2019s wedding reception\u2026  This brings me to write that Shatrughan Sinha is probably one of those actors-turned-politicians who is  held in high regard in Bollywood. Years back, each time I interviewed  Sunil  Dutt, he would  make it a  point to tell me that  only and only four Bollywood persons stood  by him and his  family when his son, Sanjay Dutt was arrested, and TADA cases slapped on him. \u201cOnly  Dilip  Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Rajendra Kumar and  Pran saab were there, with me and  my family\u2026 also  some members  from the  South India Film  Chambers. Nobody else.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And  years later, when I had  interviewed  Saira  Banu, she again  spoke very, very  highly of  Shatrughan  Sinha\u2026 telling me that whenever a crisis hits he is there \u2026She\u2019d also detailed that he along with Dilip  Kumar saab were there with  Sunil  Dutt, when Sanjay was arrested and the  family was going through  tough times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It  gets relevant to mention details of  my meeting Shatrughan  Sinha for an interview \u2026I\u2019d  met and interviewed Shatrughan Sinha in1992,  in New Delhi,  when he was contesting as BJP candidate from the  New Delhi constituency. He entered politics, joining the BJP in 1980 and made his electoral debut in 1992, contesting against fellow actor Rajesh Khanna in the by-election to New Delhi constituency. (He lost to Rajesh Khanna, the Congress candidate, by 25,000 votes.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking you back to 1992. It was rather tough finding  Sinha\u2019s whereabouts but once that got  over, the rest  wasn\u2019t too difficult  \u2026I  recall it  had taken me five days to find out where he  was  putting  up in New  Delhi and together  with that his contact telephone numbers. And  finally  his brother, Dr Lakhan Sinha, gave the time for the interview at their apartment at the erstwhile controversial building the \u2018White House \u2018 ( then situated  close to the Mandi House complex.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as I arrived there at the appointed time, I could meet Shatrughan Sinha in the lift itself \u2026the lift taking us upwards to the eleventh floor where his apartment was situated. And before I  could start off  with  my  queries,  I could see huge yellow-coloured marks on his  kurta.  He quickly explained the whys to it: \u201cOh no! This saffron scarf has left these marks  \u2026 but this isn\u2019t some BJP scarf but a \u201csaropa\u201d  given to me at the gurdwara I just  visited  \u2026just returning  from there.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And all through the hour-long interview with him, I  kept wondering why on earth he\u2019d  decided to join the BJP, when he seemed some sort of a misfit in it! To my query why he joined the BJP in the context of its communal agenda, he exclaimed, \u201cWhat communal! See, I\u2019m not communal. See my track record\u2026 I\u2019m friendly with the prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif. I have been friendly  with the late  Pakistani prime minister, General  Zia, so much  so that  for  any of their  family functions I am  invited by them. Then, I\u2019m friendly with some families in Saudi Arabia\u2026These are my personal friendships \u2026I don\u2019t believe who is a Hindu or who is a Musalmaan or a Christian\u2026just believe in Insaniyat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If  he truly believes in this  Insaniyat  theory then why didn\u2019t he  join any other political party? Why did he opt to join the BJP? With his \u2018broad-minded\u2019 views and a rather liberal approach, was he facing problems in the BJP?    \u201cNo, no \u2026Why! They know me. \u2026I have so many friends  in the Press and all come to me and they tell me they like me but not my BJP party! Bhai, did any God   have a one hundred percent following!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On whom he considers his leader, pat came the spontaneous reply: \u201cMy wife! Actually all  husbands are henpecked. Some say so, some don\u2019t, but all are. But seriously speaking, without Poonam I am  handicapped!\u201d With that he detailed that she is the one who decides on his clothes and what he ought to wear. \u201cEven this kurta, Poonam picked up from a boutique!  First time, I am wearing it  today  \u2026generally  I wear  plain ones  \u2026I don\u2019t  believe in colours or  motifs or  embroidered or showy  stuff  \u2026no  showy stuff  or exhibitionism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the interview went on and progressed, I asked him about his views on the Babri Masjid.
And he said, \u201cWith due  respect, if a  masjid can be relocated in Saudi Arabia or in Pakistan, so why not here. Of course, to be done so with the consent of our Muslim brothers and for the sake of communal harmony\u2026Big brother should give in \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, big brother here is the Majority community. Comment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c  Yes, yes \u2026But if that temple means”Mecca ” or”Medina ” to the  Hindus  so can\u2019t the  Muslims give in\u2026There are 26  other  mosques in and around Faizabad and nobody  is asking for them; only this one, for it\u2019s a matter of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s said that the BJP has plans of \u2018converting\u2019 30 other mosques into temples. Comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t  let that happen. Only this one and no further \u2026I promise \u2026I say this with folded hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Even if your promise proves to be too costly for your political career or ambitions?
\u201c Yes, at any cost  \u2026I will  stand  by  my promise\u2026always do.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Will the self-styled godman Bhole Baba, go unpunished and escape arrest? Also, why label this entire tragedy a \u2018conspiracy\u2019 when the SDM\u2019s preliminary report on stampede did not indicate its possibility ? …by Humra Quraishi A total of 121 human beings declared dead during the stampede at Hathras! On 2 July, deadly stampede happened after […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":349385,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[36],"tags":[18348,18326,17127,18349],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349381"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=349381"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":349386,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/349381\/revisions\/349386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/349385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=349381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=349381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=349381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}