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The Secret Swami - Sai Baba
It has been estimated that Sri Satya Sai Baba, India's biggest
spiritual leader, has up to 30 million devotees around the world. But
increasing numbers of former followers are alleging he has sexually
abused them or their families. This World investigates. Swamis,
otherwise known as yogis or gurus, are the holy men of India, and part
of ancient tradition. Sai Baba, 78, is based in Puttaparthi, near
Bangalore in southern India. His distinctive 1960s orange robes and
Afro hairstyle make him instantly recognisable. As the country's
biggest "God-man" - a human being who declares himself divine - he
professes to be the reincarnation of a Hindu God-man from the 19th
Century.
Sai Baba not only commands huge regular audiences at the local ashram
(religious retreat) - where he performs countless "miracles" - he also
boasts followers from more than 165 countries world-wide. But as the
This World team discovers as they travel from India to California,
there are a number of former devotees who have turned away from his
teachings, claiming he has ruined their lives. Alaya, a former
follower who claims he was sexually abused by the swami, says in the
programme: "I remember him saying, if you don't do what I say, your
life will be filled with pain and suffering." In an intimate and
powerful portrait, Alaya's family talks openly about how they feel
they were betrayed. Back in India, there are serious questions to be
asked of politicians, who seem to have continuously ignored the
problem. Indeed, some would say, the correct position for these
politicians appears to be at the feet of Sai Baba. He certainly has
friends in high places, and throughout the scandal, his popularity has
remained intact. Has this "God-man" been wrongly accused or does his
status mean he is immune to criticism?