Kerala   

Fake spiritual leaders exploit the ignorance of the masses

At the outset let me congratulate the media for bringing out the likes of Santhosh Madhavan and Bhadran to the stage. It is high time that we put these fake godmen and godwomen behind the bars. Most often, the big shots will try to help. Some police officers, ministers and party leaders are running around to save these people.

There should be no discrimination on the basis of cast, religion, political party or his/her status in the society; let godmen and godwomen go behind the bars. The authorities are supporting these godmen and that is how they managed to get gun licences and contacts with ministers and police officials.

Those who were arrested recently made their money by cheating the public. Some even invested this money in real estate and cinema. The media should focus more on them. Otherwise when the interest of the media and the public wanes, they will try to set themselves free and start their business once again.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Thripunithura

While Santhosh Madhavan is in police custody, the State government is hunting for other godmen and godwomen in the State only to divert the people’s attention from the failure of the government after completing two years in power. It is true that Santhosh Madhavan and Bhadran have connections with the high and the mighty, but most of them are finding it as a way for their livelihood. The police should continue their drive against godmen, be they Hindu, Christian or Muslim. If found guilty of cheating the public, they should be sent to jail. Most of them are dupes.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

We cannot fully blame the political leaders for their corruption and mafia nexus. They only reflect the attitude of the society they represent. We are no more the people of 1950s and 60s who treasured human values more than material pleasures. Now we are going through a period where in material pleasures—things that money can buy—are more valued. When men and women in society madly go after material welfare, sometimes their common sense takes the backstage.

It is here that godmen and godwomen score. The media, the visual media in particular, is also after the rich and the mighty. They are too busy showcasing film stars, when the more talented non-film artistes are neglected. What is the message that the media are trying to send? Violence and glamour of money.

In our society, people are reluctant to bribe are considered naïve, and those who go to any extent to get their work done are called smart. We need a paradigm shift in social values and it should start from kindergarten. Children will love, care and compassion should be appreciated more in public, than those who score high marks in exams. Everyday the print and the visual media should carry at least one real life story of persons whose services have benefited the society. We might have to wait for another leader like Gandhi or Jesus to uplift our morals.

Ganeshan P.N.

Ernakulam

Godmen and faith-healers are frauds; astrologers are charlatans, and most charitable institutions money-spinning propositions.

Politicians want them for vote-bank and businessmen for captive customers. Common man wants them for prestige because he feels that a religious aura will give him a little respectability, which he otherwise lacks.

People enjoy higher purchasing power.

They can afford faith and superstition. After all what is faith, superstition in disguise!

The question of faith arises only in matters that defy common sense and ready acceptance. Superstition sells.

A minister is reported to have said that by virtue of the portfolio he handled he could keep company of godmen. Rather a strange logic! Does he mean that the minister in charge of jails should keep company of thieves?

I am surprised that all these nonsense is happening in Kerala, which is known for its high rate of literacy. Literacy is supposed to dispel superstitions, whereas they thrive here.

Godmanship is a good business so long as there are fools to take it. There is nothing to lose, except honour, which of course the persons indulging in it do not have. Government can do little about this menace.

It is for the people to keep away from them.

Of course one can become great or saintly by constantly refining one’s character.

A typical case in point is M.K. Gandhi. Saintly persons want nothing for themselves. Paramahansa, Ramana Maharishi or Sirdi Sai Baba wanted nothing for themselves. They lived for others.

P.V. Divakaran

Avittathur

When people get frustrated with their problems that cannot be solved in spite of their best possible efforts, they approach godmen or godwomen. These people have skills to con the people and make them believe. They gain popularity by word of mouth.

Once the godmen and godwomen realise that they have a following, it is easy for them to gather crowds by their empty talk. They will identify those who are rich and extract money from them.

However, they never fail to treat their lieutenants sumptuously.

V. Venkitasubramanian

Thammanam

It is unnerving that in a literate Kerala, godmen and godwomen are spurting more and more to exploit the easily vulnerable members of society.

Most Malayalis have a vulnerable mindset and get easily taunted by the whims and machinations of unscrupulous sanyasins.

We must leave no stone unturned to get rid of such social evils.

It is incumbent on the authorities to insist on valid registrations by individuals and institutions before putting up boards for religious practices.

K.B. Rajagopalan

Kochi

The social fabric of our country is congenial for fake spiritual leaders to flourish. It is sad to note that the fake swamis under the guise of godmen attract crooked politicians. These godmen enjoy adequate protection from the clutches of law due to their connections with highly influential people.

The recent happenings in the State involving Swami Santhosh Madhavan and Swami Himaval Maheswara Bhadranandji are an eye-opener. Government as well as social leaders should realise these facts and take appropriate action. This will definitely protect the people from social evils and also in preserving the honour of genuine spiritual leaders.

Petson Peter C.

Plarivattom

If there is a place on earth where anybody can walk out scot-free, it must be Kerala. For example the latest is godmen and godwomen. To call these swindlers godmen and godwomen would be a misnomer. Most of the victims who have fallen prey are either illiterate or weak-minded. This is exactly where the so-called godmen turn the situation to their favour. They are crooks out to cheat people. Since the godmen and godwomen are making their presence felt more in numbers, the authorities should lose no time to bring them to the long arm of the law.

K.G. Koru Kuttan Nair

Cherpalcheri

It is a good move to bring to light the fraud godmen and godwomen and their illegal activities. At the same time I feel some political leaders also are not far better than these people; don’t they earn money illegally? The inquiry should not be limited only to the fraud swamis; it should be extended to the government officials and political leaders.

Praveen Prakash Lobo

Dubai

The revelation of self-styled godmen and godwomen reveals the spiritual poverty of the people.

People go to these people to get solace from stress of this fast-growing world.

These fake swamis exploit this opportunity. Another reason is the ignorance of people about their god and religion.

Sreenath S.K.

Kottayam

Why do people go to godmen? I am 65. I used to visit Guruvayur, Chottanikkara and other important temples from childhood, as my mother was very devoted. I have now stopped entering temples, though I still accompany my loved ones. The atmosphere in the temples has become so ungodly. One is pushed around by the employees. Unless you give money (Dakshina) along with the official receipts for pooja in advance, they don’t even recite the mantras.

The amount of ‘dakshina’ decides the pujari’s attitude. This kind of atmosphere, created by the temple authorities drives the people away from the God. Special considerations are given to rich devotees while the common man is made to wait hours.

There are many like me who got disillusioned and now avoid visiting temples.

Compare this to a visit to a godman’s ashram. In today’s world nothing is free. Devotees want to be treated with honour. The godmen and his people are there to cater to all needs. This one reason why godmen flourish. Sukumaran Chalary

North Paravur

Keralites seems to be maintaining the highest order in almost all kind of activities. They are not only the highest in literacy and health, but also in alcohol consumption. Anything in Kerala thrives because of the people’s spirit of adventurism, and thirst for spiritual activities cannot be different from the rest. This has made spirituality a tradable commodity.

The state, therefore, witnessed mushrooming of many ashrams and godmen and godwomen. The extra-ordinary influence of these miracle performers did create an influence on the society. It is nothing, but exploitation of human tendency to reach the zenith. Money and power flourished around such divine centres. The actions of the government should be restricted to the fake ones alone. Those in power should exercise their discretion. Capt.O.B. Nair

Poonithura

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