Join Us 
Latest News in India: The controversy has erupted over installing idols of Sai Baba in temples across Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. So far, 14 temples have made the idols of Sai Baba disappear; one of these is the prominent Bada Ganesh Mandir.
The initiative for this reportedly comes from Ajay Sharma of Sanatan Rakshak Sena.
Reports claimed that Hindu organizations say Sai Baba was a Muslim and had no association with Sanatan Dharma. They contend that though they don’t have issues with people worshipping Sai Baba, they would not permit the installation of Sai Baba’s idols in the temples.
FIR Against SP MLA Mehboob Ali Over ‘Muslim Population’ Remark, BJP Says ‘Inciting For Demographic Change’
Sai Baba Idol Row In Varanasi: Deepak Yadav told ABP News that there is a Supreme Court order in which it has been mentioned that Sai Baba should be called “Chand Baba.” On Sunday, the idols of Sai Baba were taken out from the temples after discussions.
Deepak observed, “The protest should have happened when the idol was installed. Today, the idol has been removed at last. During the Shravan month, a priest had remarked that this idol should not be there. I ask the Brahmin community to not get entangled in this. Whoever wants to worship Sai Baba should construct their own temple and perform the rituals; no one is opposing this.”
Deepak explained as to how people are attracted towards Shirdi. “Hinduism accommodates all beliefs, which is why people visit Shirdi. There is nothing wrong with it. People can offer prayers wherever they wish, and there is no interference in anyone’s personal life.” Another person speaking to ABP News said no government people had been there when the idol was taken off. He claimed that the campaign is taken under the guidance of Shankaracharya and said, “There is no disrespect towards Sai Baba, but he should have a separate place. The idol has been removed from the Bada Ganesh Mandir.”
Ajay Sharma, president of the Sanatan Rakshak Sena in Uttar Pradesh, said 14 temples have had the idols of Sai Baba removed so far, with more removals in the offing. “The Sai idol was placed in 2013 alongside the Anandeshwar Mahadev idol in the Bada Ganesh Mandir complex, ” Sharma said, adding that six years ago, he had been in the habit of circumambulating the Sai idol, but since then, he says he has stopped the practice, referring to the adoration of Sai as “ghost worship.”
