Book Review: MURDERS IN SAI BABA'S BEDROOM

B. Premanand, 11/7, Chettipalayam Road,

Pondanur , - 641 023. Tamil Nadu, India.

Rs. 400/-

This is a hefty volume of 872 pages of demy 1/8th size containing material mostly investigative in nature meant to expose the corrupt self-serving activities of the influential elite in India. The author, Mr.B.Premanand is a lively gentleman, aged 72 years. He is slim and of medium height with greying hair and flowing beard. Amiable and unassuming with disarming smile, he is simple in appearance and manners. He is at home with the youth and those who fight against superstitions of every kind. He shows special interest in exposing miracle mongers who pose as godmen, and cheat and exploit the common people. His particular target seems to be Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, Ananthapur District, Andhra Pradesh.

Sai Baba lures people by his miracles - producing out of thin air vibhuti (sacred ash), gold ornaments, costly watches, stone lingas and such other fancy little articles. He claims he could turn water into petrol. The devotees of this frizzy haired 'godman' are found not only among the ordinary people but also among the power wielding politicians, bureaucrats, very rich business people, judges, influential professionals etc. He had admirers in other countries also. This wide band of devotees has enabled him to collect several millions of rupees and form trusts to run hospitals, educational institutions, religious homes etc. Inspite of this solid and glittering material base, the activities of Sai Baba do not promote prosperity, well-being and joy. Instead they lead to corruption, intrigues, exploitation and violence. People come to the godman with hope and go away with despair. This is quite natural because the basis of all the activities - the claim to super natural powers - is a blatant untruth. So long as this kind of activities are allowed to continiue unchecked, they will ruin the nation, diverting people's attention away from constsructive activities. They are made to have faith in miracles, dubious ways to earn money and short-cuts to achieve positions of powers. But they do not result in the development - either of an individual or a community - but in disappointment, conflict and violent clashes. A remarkable example is the murder of six persons - aids and devotees of Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam on the night of June 6, 1993.

B.Premanand produces massive evidence from documents and published material, to show that the investigations have not been carried on in an impartial manner to find the truth of the horrible and tragic episode. We have no space here to go into all the details, but we give below what H.N.Narasimhaiah, the well-known rationalist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, said in an interview, published in The Sunday Observer, Bombay dated 13-19, June, 1993, soon after the incident. The interview is very revealing:

What do you make of this week's incidents at Puttaparthi?

I categorically condemn the reported attempt on Sathya Sai Baba's life. Whatever the cause, violence is not justified. But there are several intriguing factors that need to be examined (emphasis added)

Like what?

The police have destroyed all evidence by killing the alleged assassins in cold blood. It is very intriguing. . . Were they killed at the instance of someone? The police could have easily disarmed the culprits who were armed only with knives, not AK-47s or machine guns. This has aroused suspicion . . .

How do you explain his growing stature?

One of the reasons is blind faith. He impressed people with his magic. And politicians use him for their own ends. . .

Do you think the truth about the assassination attempt will come out?

Knowing how the man operates, I am doubtful of a fair inquity (Pages 137,138- Vol.II of the book)

Anyhow B.Premanand the author of this book and editor of the monthly, Indian Skeptic, took concerted and admirable steps demanding to initiate impartial investigation and bring out the truth in this case. But his plea for CBI probe was dismissed by Andhra Pradesh High Court. Finally the murder case was closed on a confidential G.O.! On page 19, the book quotes Goldsmith: "Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law!"

When people do not get justice from the executive and judicial wings of the Government in a case where influential public figures are involved they have to necessarily resort to the long-drawn struggle of educating and enlightening the common people on whose ignorance and blind faith miracle mongers and unscrupulous bigwigs thrive. It is for such noble service Mr.Premanand was presented the National Award of Rupees 1,00,000 for the Best Effort in Science Popularisation during the period 1992-96 by National Council for Science and Technolgy Communi-cations (NCSTC), Government of India. He continues his fight against godmen by propagating scientific principles among the various sections of our country.