Radhe Maa's story: Sukhwinder Kaur's journey from housewife to godwoman

Radhe Maa, the dancing god-woman who is in the news for her alleged involvement in a dowry case was actually born as Sukhwinder Kaur in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab. According to a leading daily, she used to stitch clothes to supplement her husband's income from a sweet shop in Mukherian.

People in her village said her transformation began some time in her early 20s when her husband left for the Gulf for better employment and she joined the local Paramhans Dera. They said that she was very influenced by Paramhans Dera's head Ram Deen Das and began attending satsangs. Soon she was holding her own satsangs. While it's not clear when she moved to Mumbai, she did face some trouble when some Hindu organisations objected to her claiming to be a reincarnation of Durga. This saw her move from her Punjab to Mumbai.

Her rise in popularity was propelled by Mumbai businessman Sanjeev Gupta, the owner of Global Advertiser, whose company handles various prime-location hoardings in the city. Her popularity grew in Mumbai as celebrities became her followers and her husband and two children also moved back with her. According to her devotees, her relationship with her husband and children resembled that of a guru and disciple.

Gupta has been defending Radhe Maa on social media and also claimed that the pictures of her in micro-minis were morphed. He added: “He said: “All this talk of Maa dancing at satsangs are motivated lies. There has never been an instance where she was lifted by a devotee and her devotees dance to the tunes of bhajans.”  He also said that Radhe Maa had never claimed to be a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. He said that the dowry case had nothing to do with her. (Read: Who is Radhe Maa? Everything you need to know about the controversial godwoman)

Radhe Maa also received support from celebrities. Prahlad kakkar was quoted saying: “Why should sadhus wear rags and dreadlocks? Radhe Maa’s style makes her unique.” Talking to mediaperson on Saturday, the godwoman broke down and said that god would give her justice when asked about her involvement in the domestic violence case. She told the media, “I don't want to say anything, God will do justice to me.”

Radhe Maa's various controversies 

Along with the dowry case, she has also been accused of obscene of behaviour by advocate Falguni Brambhatt who has filed a complaint of obscenity against her. She was also banned from the Kumbh Mela in Nashik and was also pictured wearing a garish pink/red skirt and cap in pictures which were allegedly taken in Dubai.

Meanwhile, here's how Twitter reacted to Radhe Maa with Rishik Kapoor winning that particular round: 

Make up,lipstick,eye shadow,jewellery et al. for discourses? Is that my friend Bappi Lahiri without his glasses? pic.twitter.com/jSaa8GML9F

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) August 7, 2015

An aspiring FTII student blessing an spiring FTII Principal. Jai ho Radhe Radhe!!! pic.twitter.com/GHeCQZGnPR

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) August 7, 2015

SRK after meeting Radhe Maa pic.twitter.com/pqlwwOwdcD

&md ash; Billoo (@MohitParmarr) August 8, 2015

So the song "Kal Raat Mata Ka Mujhe, Email Aaya Hai Mata Ne Mujhko Facebook Pe Bulaya Hai" was written for Radhe Ma pic.twitter.com/4MVqbF5SHQ

& mdash; Valar Morghulis (@sarcastic_monk_) Aug ust 6, 2015

Pic1: Radhe maa in front of World. Pic2: Radhe maa in front of Hubby. pic.twitter.com/OKD4ejACgt

&mda sh; Enginɘɘroʜolic (@EngineeRoholic) August 5, 2015

"Why should Babas have all the fun?" - Radhe Maa

— The Da™ (@tweetzpah) August 5, 2015

Radhe Maa should play the misogyny card. Whoever she is.

— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) August 5, 2015

If Radhe maa takes off her mask, Ishant Sharma will be exposed.

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 5, 2015

Radhe Maa's secretary is called Talli Baba. I think it's a spoof cult. Like Hotshots, the movie

— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) Augu st 5, 2015

A clip of that Radhe-maa lady traipsing about, is the creepiest thing I've seen on the Internet. These god-people are a real waste of space!

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 5, 2015

Radhe Maa has very good skin.

— NowSlimmerThanBefore (@sidin) August 6, 2015

From "Radhe Maa" to "Radhe Ahaaaann"... pic.twitter.com/MzyFDRuDt7

&mda sh; Rahul Nitn Ahire (@Rahul_Ahire) August 6, 2015

Evidence (tacky clothes, general hilarity) suggests that Radhe Maa is the Govinda of godwomen https://t.co/8uxnr9CfNZ

— Renuka Deshpande (@PettingLeopards) Augu st 6, 2015