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Suraj Pal Singh, popularly known as Bhole Baba or Narayan Saakar Hari, is a self-styled godman whose satsang led to a devastating stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, killing over 121 people. Born in Bahadur Nagari village in UP’s Etah district to a farmer, Bhole Baba’s journey from a police officer to a spiritual leader is intriguing and controversial.
Bhole Baba, originally named Suraj Pal Singh, worked as a head constable in the UP police’s Intelligence Unit for over 18 years. He claimed to have served the Intelligence Bureau before taking voluntary retirement in 1999. He then adopted the name Narayan Saakar Hari and began conducting satsangs, motivated by a calling towards spirituality and world peace.
Spiritual Journey and Influence
Living modestly in a hut in his village, Narayan Hari travelled extensively across Uttar Pradesh, and gained followers in neighboring states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Unlike many godmen, he is known for his simple attire—often a white suit and tie or kurta pyjama—and is always accompanied by his wife, Prem Bati. He professes to distribute any money offered to him among his followers, rather than keeping it for himself.
Controversies and Crowds
Despite his low media profile, Bhole Baba has been involved in several controversies. In 2022, he organized a satsang in UP’s Farrukhabad that drew over 50,000 attendees despite the district administration’s permission for only 50 people due to rising Covid-19 Delta variant cases. This event caused significant traffic disruptions and highlighted his substantial following.
Security and Satsangs
Given the massive crowds his satsangs attract, Bhole Baba has a dedicated security team called “Narayani Sena,” comprising male and female guards who escort him from his ashram to various satsang locations. His ability to draw large numbers of devotees underscores his influence but also raises concerns about crowd control and safety.
The recent stampede at his satsang in Hathras has put Bhole Baba in the spotlight, raising questions about the organization and safety measures at such large gatherings.
