Pune:
He's popularly known as the Mastani Baba or Sarkar and has been residing in the vicinity of the Pune railway station for 25 years. Draped in just a towel, the baba does not talk except for a few words in Hindi. His followers say his blessings have worked wonders for them.
Police Constable S G Kadam said the Baba is like a blessing for those around. "People keep offering him food so that he blesses them. People have immense faith in him. I have been seeing him in the same place for 25 years and there is no change in him. He is definitely not an ordinary man. He hasn't taken a bath but he has a godly persona," said Kadam.
Nishikant Raut, also a constable said: "He never speaks but for a few words in Hindi. It's like a blessing for devotees. All castes, creeds and communities seek his blessings. A family member of a minister comes every week in her car and offers Sarkar kheer."
Kailash, a waiter working in a hotel near the railway station, said: "The baba does not ask for food but drinks at least 20 to 30 cups of tea every day. We feel honoured and consider it a good omen," he said.
Dr Narendra Dabholkar, founder of Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Anti-Superstition Committee), said: "Going to a baba or godman is not a crime. But if a person is cheated, he should do something legally. It is sad that the government is not taking any decision on enforcing anti-superstition law, which is lying with them since the last five years."
Police Constable S G Kadam said the Baba is like a blessing for those around. "People keep offering him food so that he blesses them. People have immense faith in him. I have been seeing him in the same place for 25 years and there is no change in him. He is definitely not an ordinary man. He hasn't taken a bath but he has a godly persona," said Kadam.
Nishikant Raut, also a constable said: "He never speaks but for a few words in Hindi. It's like a blessing for devotees. All castes, creeds and communities seek his blessings. A family member of a minister comes every week in her car and offers Sarkar kheer."
Kailash, a waiter working in a hotel near the railway station, said: "The baba does not ask for food but drinks at least 20 to 30 cups of tea every day. We feel honoured and consider it a good omen," he said.
Dr Narendra Dabholkar, founder of Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Anti-Superstition Committee), said: "Going to a baba or godman is not a crime. But if a person is cheated, he should do something legally. It is sad that the government is not taking any decision on enforcing anti-superstition law, which is lying with them since the last five years."
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