- LATEST
- WEBSTORY
- TRENDING
INDIA
Shankaracharya's statement is ridiculous: Sai Baba devotees fume over Swami's drought remarks
Swami Swaroopananda had said worshipping of Shirdi Sai Baba by his followers is responsible for drought in Maharashtra.
Updated : Apr 11, 2016, 10:11 PM IST
 "Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati")
TRENDING NOW
)
IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to retire from Test cricket after Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Report makes big claim
)
Pushpa 2 trailer: SS Rajamouli reviews Allu Arjun's action-drama, calls it...
)
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan tells Amitabh Bachchan: 'I hope people don't...'
)
Bigg Boss 18: Rajat Dalal says he won 14 medals for India, Shilpa Shirodkar replies 'desh ke liye kuch kiya hai toh...'
)
Meet man, who made first mobile call in India from Nokia 29 years ago, it cost Rs...
)
Amitabh Bachchan praises Abhishek Bachchan's new film, netizens ask 'kash ye Aishwarya...'
)
7 times XXX, Gandii Baat actress Aabha Paul crashed the internet by flaunting her sexy curves
)
Aishwarya Rai describes her 'ideal man' in viral statement amid divorce rumours with Abhishek Bachchan: 'He better be..'
)
Shweta Tiwari's wedding photos with Bigg Boss 13 contestant Vishal Aditya Singh go viral, here's the truth behind them
)
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says he'll do 'whatever it takes' to be there for Aaradhya
)
This Pakistani Influencer's private video leaked online, days after Minahil Malik and Insha Rehman's clips
)
Meet Mathira Khan, Pakistani influencer whose private video leaked after Minahil Malik, Imsha Rehman
)
'Good to be back': After breaking up with Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor reunites with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'
)
'It's Abhishek, Aishwarya': Netizens react after celeb divorce lawyer says star couple is facing 'breakdown in marriage'
)
Model's bold dance in towel at India Gate raises eyebrows, netizens say arrest her, watch viral video
Devotees of Saibaba have taken a dim view of Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati's statement in which he linked worship of the "fakir" to prevalence of drought-like conditions in Maharashtra.
Though Shirdi Saibaba Trust officials did not entertain queries on the controversy, a former Trustee said the seer made such remarks out of feeling of insecurity.
"It seems Swaroopanand is disturbed and feeling insecure as devotees are not turning up for his darshan but queueing up to take darshan of Saibaba in Shirdi.
"If he feels that drought in the State is indeed due to worship of Saibaba, then he should answer why there is flood or earthquake in Uttarakhand," said ex-Trustee Eknath Gondkar.
Kicking off a row, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka-Sharda peeth had stated in Haridwar, "the unworthy Sai is being worshipped while the real Gods are ignored. This is happening in Maharashtra and particularly in Shirdi. Hence, Maharashtra is facing drought".
When asked about his reaction, a devotee Aditya Damale said such remarks are being made with the only objective to gain publicity.
"Saibaba had propagated unity during his lifetime, but unfortunately people like Shankaracharya could not understand this message of Saibaba," he said.
Another devotee termed the seer's statement as "ridiculous".
"Shankaracharya's statement is ridiculous. Drought is also prevailing in Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh...what about that?" he said.
A local social worker, Sachin Tambe said the Saibaba Trust had donated crores of rupees as aid whenever calamities like flood, earthquake etc. had struck Maharashtra and other parts of country.
"Shankaracharya should tour country and talk about Hindu religion and various issues concerning it," he added.
Meanwhile, Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust chairperson Anita Shetye refused to comment on Swaroopanand's statement that "entry of women in the Shani temple will lead to rise in crimes against them like rape".
