In a controversial decision, the Sanatan Rakshak Dal has removed Sai Baba statues from 14 temples in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The organization’s state president, Ajay Sharma, has been taken into custody by police in connection with this initiative. The group is also preparing to remove additional Sai Baba idols in Lucknow, arguing that such worship is not endorsed by Hindu scriptures.
Ongoing Debate Over Sai Baba Worship
The question of Sai Baba’s place in Hindu worship has been a contentious issue for years. This debate was initially sparked by prominent religious figures such as Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati, and more recently, by Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham Sarkar. Both have expressed strong opposition to the deification and worship of Sai Baba, contending that these practices conflict with traditional Hindu beliefs.
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Brahmin Organization’s Initiative in Varanasi
A Brahmin organization has taken the initiative to remove Sai Baba idols from temples in Varanasi, beginning with the first idol taken down from the well-known Bada Ganesh temple, followed by another at the Purushottam temple in the Godaulia area. According to the Sanatan Rakshak Dal, this is only the beginning, with many more temples in Kashi anticipated to follow suit.
उत्तर प्रदेश : वाराणसी में सनातन रक्षक दल ने 14 मंदिरों से साईं बाबा की मूर्तियां हटाईं। पुलिस ने संगठन के प्रदेश अध्यक्ष अजय शर्मा को कस्टडी में लिया। लखनऊ में भी मूर्तियां हटाने की तैयारी है। ये अभियान चलाने वालों का कहना है कि शास्त्रों में साईं पूजा का वर्णन नहीं मिलता। pic.twitter.com/uNmnVH7xp1
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) October 3, 2024
Sai Baba Idols Removed from 14 Temples in Varanasi
Ajay Sharma, a representative of the Sanatan Rakshak Dal, confirmed that Sai Baba idols have been removed from approximately 14 temples in Varanasi. He explained that the organization believes many people have been worshipping Sai Baba out of ignorance and views the removal of the idols as a means to preserve traditional Hindu values.
“We are not against Sai Baba as a person,” Sharma said. “But according to our scriptures, the installation of idols of deceased humans in temples is not allowed. We believe that only the five deities—Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, and Ganapati—should be worshipped in Hindu temples.”
The removal of Sai Baba idols has sparked significant debate within the Hindu community, particularly regarding the inclusion of modern figures in traditional worship. While many devotees continue to regard Sai Baba as a spiritual guide, the actions of the Sanatan Rakshak Dal have reignited questions about scriptural adherence and the future of worship practices in temples across India.
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