Either we are in the most well-directed campaign to derail Pratibha Patil‘s presidential hopes. Or the Marathi mulgi is truly gifted with a gab that will ensure that journalists earn every bit of the bread they make during what promises to be a long and colourful presidency.
First, her comments on the purdah caused a flutter among historians. Then, it was her Emergency-era statement that those who have hereditary diseases should be sterilised. But both those now pale in front of the big one, which CNN-IBN unveiled last night.
Apparently, three months ago, Pratibhatai claimed that she had a ‘divine premonition‘ of greater responsibility coming her way while communicating with her spiritual guru who passed away 38 years ago.
“I had a pleasant experience,” Patil told a gathering in Mt Abu in February recounting her meeting with the head of Brahma Kumaris World Spritual University, Hridaymohini, also popularly known as ‘dadiji.’
“Dadiji ke shareer mein baba aye (Baba came in Dadiji’s body),” she said. Her reference was to Dada Lekhraj who founded Brahma Kumari sect. Lekhraj died in 1969. Patil claimed the late Baba spoke to her indicating that she should be prepared to shoulder greater responsibility.
“He also made me very lucky,” she added.
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Maybe, it’s unfair to target Pratibha Patil for her links with the Brahma Kumaris or its chief. After all, if even a scientist like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam didn’t have any problems in rubbing shoulders with godmen and godwomen—Saibaba, Mata Amritanandamayi, et al—why should Pratibhatai be immune?
Maybe, also, it’s her personal belief—a question of faith—and no one has any right to question it. But the problem arises when, instead of observing them behind closed doors, it is put up for public display, which most godmen and godwomen are experts are turning into advertisements.
An even bigger question is of propriety. Should the head of a State be seen sitting below a religious head? Should a President be seen in close proximity to godmen and godwomen, many of whom are sleazeballs using education and health as a cover for their nefarious activities?
Also read: VIR SANGHVI: The truth about Sabi Baba
churumuri 
One of the reasons why Left opposed Shivraj Patil was his closeness to godman Sai Baba. Wonder what they have to say to Pratibha Patil’s closeness with god himself.
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Who are we to comment on the other people’s personal issues. Every body have their own faith and why should they be denied of these rights. But the word rubbing the shoulder is harsh and condemnable. Please be decent in using words that too on people whom we have to have respect.
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Left, specially CPI(M), are the most hypocrites in Indian political system. If they kill innocent farmers in police firing, then its justified for upholding Law and order. If their choice of people have relegious bent then its individuals choice. Eventhough, I have no special affection for sai baba and also with my little knowledge of various spiritual sectors, I feel sai baba is “relatively” more secular(and done more social service with schools and hospitals) then brahma kumaris. Only exception is that sai baba wears saffron(more associated with hinduism) robes whereas brahma kumaries wear white(more associated with christianism) robes.
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name like Hridaymohini gives me the shudders, but rest assured we will be entertained with her ( Mrs Patil ) at the helm of the nation. I guess her first trip abroad would be to Haiti
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“..Should the head of a State be seen sitting below a religious head? ..”
A few observations: (1)You have already concluded that the person sitting below somehow loses his official or personal status..in short is of lower stature compared to one sitting at an elevated or higher place. (2) If a person has devotion to any particular deity or godman, why not? Is your expectation from a President or a Presidential candidate that they be the President-like 24 hours/365 days?
“…Should a President be seen in close proximity to godmen and godwomen, many of whom are sleazeballs using education and health as a cover for their nefarious activities?”
You are passing judgement on something that might be very personal to many individuals. Ideally your comment makes sense. But aren’t we in REAL world?
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Whether Pratibha Patil’s divine premonition on greater responsibility, an obvious reference to her becoming the President of India, is going to be true or not s different story. But I take it to mean that Pratibha Patil should be prepared to shoulder the primary responsibility of clearing the bank loan of Rs.17 crores defaulted by a Cooperative sugar factory founded by her and also steer herself clear of her alleged shielding of her brother in the alleged involvement in the murder of a Maharashtra Congress leader. This is her much greater responsibility than assuming the Office of the President of India only to sign on the dotted lines.
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Let them ‘RUB’ Whatever,Whoever and However they want .
Just think Sonia would be Virtually the actual PM and PRESIDENT of the
Sovereign Republic of India .
Shame on all those Nikammas sitting in Politics . Nobody’s talking about it . Is Churmuri starting a Campaign on this ‘KEYLESS’ entry into the Highest office of this great nation ?
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In a coup, the GODWOMEN takes over the nation…………
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JUST Who is really running our country? Is it the P.M.!? Or the President?! The parliament with M.P.s!!Sorry for the joke!
We all know the ANSWER!!! None of the listed above have any illusions either!
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What ever, Most God Men and God women are more worthy of the spineless politicians any way….manku thimma
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This is interesting. I have read about an incident where Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Nehru had differences because Babu (Dr. RP) mingled with holy men. I think it is not so much the issue of somebody’s faith as it is a personal matter. That should not be held against them. However, if that somebody is a public figure and talks about it in public with reference to the job that he or she is undertaking then that could raise eyebrows.
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If you ask me, nobody should rub anything with god(wo)men. But, that’s just me, I cannot obviously force anyone to be that way.
People have a choice, they are free to do whatever they want. If someone wants to believe in Hridaymohini or Sai Baba or even Ganapathi Sachchidananda(yay!!!!), then let them. That shouldn’t be a reason for questioning their ability and that certainly shouldn’t be a reason for us not wanting them to be the President of the country.
I always think that beliefs can create miracles. So, if “Dadiji” is helping (P)PP, let her enjoy the ride!
(P)PP is just gonna be boot licker # 2…now that’s a different story altogether.
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What if she keeps communicating with all the dead Presidents in Rashtrapathi Bhavan?
Jai Mataji-Jai Soniaji!!!
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The Constitution’s Preamble establishes India as a “secular” republic.
But the Indian Supreme Court has interpreted secularism not as a freedom from religion or theology, but rather, as a validation of a rule of law rather than a rule by religion.
In that context, expressions of religious persuasion remains a legitimate, but very personal, decision.
So Smt. Pratibha Patil is within all rights to express her religious belief.
On the other hand, as the English jurist Gordon Hewart once wrote, it’s not just important that justice is done, but that it is seen to be done. I think that would be good advice for Smt. Patil.
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NM
A noble thought by Gordon Hewart. I would like to see the talented Mrs. Patil in a court of law answering the malfeasance charges and other murder accusations. From what I have seen so far, the talented Mrs. patil should keep herself away from public life as far as possible.
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This is Churumuri. So all I can say is having Pratibha Patil as prez will give us the comic relief Americans have been getting from their president. Patilisms, huh?
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LOL Balaji….how true !!!! I gues sthat should be our spirit :)
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Kalam also performed his azaan at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on occasion, attended Jesuit conclaves (ignoring requests not to from the RSS), paid a visit to Tirupati, Harmandir Sahib, Ajmer, Sanchi, Dilwara, etc. He is an equal opportunity spiritualist much to the disapppointment of our “rationalist” hacks. Right now Karunanidhi – supreme rationalist quack and crook, is still genuflecting before Sathya Sai Baba thanking him for funding a water supply scheme for Madras. It was in the news some time ago. Surprise you missed it. And then how about Harkishan Singh Surjeet retaining his kesh and kadaa? If the commies are really rationalist/secular/atheist how can one of their own follow a spiritual custom?
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No harm in rubbing the shoulders with Goodman as an individual but as president of India, it sends wrong signals. Quoting precedence is not a defense for present incumbent for any act of indiscretion . Sitting at the feet of god person and rubbing hands before them is certainly unbecoming of the first citizen of a progressive nation
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If this is true then consider the sequence of the events. She first rubbed sholders with GODMAN and then got the offer. As offer for the President is immediatly after that any person in this highly religious country will be happily surprised what was predicted comming his way. But off course this should not be made public as ‘PROSPECTIVE PRESIDENT’.
And spirituality is not a bad thing.. its for elevating your inner self. And its only ‘Spirituality’ due to which india is not too degraded compared to rest of the world.
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It is worth clarifying that to the followers of the Brahma Kumaris, the spirits entering into Hirday Mohini are not just the deceased Lekhraj Kripalani but also God Shiva himself.
When BKs speak of “Baba”, they mean God and they claim that God speaks exclusively to them through their mediums.
The BKs have exploited their followers on the basis of a wave of failed End of the World prediction from WWII, including 1950, 1976 and mid-80 to 90s, Year 2000 and so on.
To them, the rest of the world are all shudras and reincarnation in the forthcoming Golden Age on earth, after the death of 6 Billion and the annihilation of the planet as we know it, will be restricted to 900,000 of their faithful followers only. They say their founder Kripalani will be reborn as Krishna.
For an open expose of Brahma Kumaris teachings, see the ex-BK run website and forum;
http://brahmakumaris.info/
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Rubbing shoulders with white clad celibates of impeccable character is surely a natural thing for a politician to do isn’t it? The Brahma Kumaris, those clad hose in white, have diverse initiatives through which links with VIPs are cultivated.
Godmen bearing gifts that promise “Pleasant experiences” (fulfilled desires); “responsibility” (fulfilled destiny) and luck (countless fortune) may have an agenda of their own.
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I recently wrote an article on the BK group after attending one of their lectures.
A doomsday cult in every negative sense of the word.
http://gazette.gokmu.com/news/article.html?no=575
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Our own neighborhood God Man Ganapathy Sachdananda is under a thick cloud. See report in The Hindu dated 27th May, 2008.
Commissioner to recommend transfer of case to CoD
Staff Correspondent
Swamiji has been charged with ‘forgery of documents’ pertaining to land records
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Anil Kumar had filed a complaint alleging that the Swamiji had forged the documents
Investigation officer found that his claims were ‘genuine’
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The God Man’s Birthday celebrations are on and the list of dignataries to grace the occassion include APJ Abdul Kalam, Shivaraj Patil, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, etc. Why single out our Madam President ?
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