TV
A social activist lodged an FIR at Chandrasekharpur Police Station after reports emerged from the Airfield locality in Bhubaneswar that people were engaging in Sankirtan (religious chanting) using photographs of self-styled godman Sarathi Baba on Friday.
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Sarathi alias Santosh Roul was worshipped on the occasion of Dola Purnima.
Accusations made in the FIR:
“It is unfortunate that some people are worshipping Sarathi at par with Lord Jagannath on such an auspicious day (Dola Purnima). This has not only hurt me but the sentiments of many Hindus and believers of Jagannath culture,” complainant Abhishek Das stated.
During these sessions, it was observed that symbolic items, such as basil leaves, were being offered, and peacock feathers were placed on the godman's forehead. This practice has sparked objections from members of the community and devotees of Lord Jagannath.
In another incident today, Sarathi was worshipped in Phampuni village of Jeypore in Koraput district. Locals there strongly resented the act as a gigantic photo of Sarathi was being worshipped, keeping a small photograph of Lord Jagannath nearby.
Allegedly, such acts are offensive and undermine the most revered deity of Odisha. Several followers of Sarathi had congregated in the village and organised a Satsang, where basil leaves were offered to the self-styled godman and Sankirtan was performed.
The followers claimed that both Sarathi and Lord Jagannath are one and the same.
“We are living by the virtue of our thoughts. The blessings that we used to get from Lord Jagannath at Puri Srimandir, the same we also get from Prabhu Sarathi. Like Jagannath, our Prabhu also responds to our prayers and comes forward and helps us during our exigencies. We think that they are one and inseparable,” an ardent devotee said to OTV.
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“That is why we have kept both of them side by side,” the follower claimed.
“Prabhu Sarathi is everything to us and we always feel blessed for him. I do not know what he is to others; but, he is the god to me,” a female follower expressed.
