This amazing thought provoking article was written by my buddy Suresh Edavana. This is one big reason I admire him so much. Read and enjoy.

It is a shame for us Indians to be so hyporcatic.

Death doesn't glorify anyone.

I have followed Saibaba's life and deeds from the 70's and pardon me for my frank and bold opinion- Sathya Sai Baba was one of the first Godmen who institutionalised the concept in India and altered its culture. I consider him responsible for the long list of fake Godmen who appeared in the past three to four decades and had very bad influence on Indian politics and judicial system, affecting its development.
 

Many politicians, scientists, judges and people of high ranking positions who could change India and its development were hooked to Saibaba and similar fake godmen!

I still remember the cheap magic he used to do by giving vibhoothi and laddu from his empty hand to the devotees. When Magician PC Sarkar went to see him in a disguise, he gave a rasagolla back to Sai Baba when he was given a laddu from thin air by him. Sarkar was nabbed by his devotees and thrown out from Puttaparthi. When AT Kovoor openly challenged him to perform a magic under his supervision, he refused.

See a link below to the news article and Youtube video on Saibab's magic!

Anybody can preach good things- even me and you. When you have weakminded people who look for solace or an excuse for their failures in life, the godmen hook them in. A few prominent businessmen, politicians, scientists, jidges and known personalities pronounce their devotism to them and suddenly, they become the most influencial persons in Indian society!
 

Matha Amrithananda Mayi, Sri Sri Ravi Sankar,Baba Ramdev,  there are many such living gods. Don't forget Paramahamsa Nithyananda, the godman who was recently involved in the Ranjtha sex scandal video episode:

Money pours in from the devotees and they build empires and give a little tip to the society as their great "charities" These deeds don't exemplify them! They are the curse of Indian Society.
 

Finally it proves that they are all mortal and die like the rest of human beings! And, after their death, the trust members fight for succession!They have their eyes on the billions of rupees worth assets, not the values.
 

Don't forget that Saibaba lifted his robe and ran for his life with his two legs like me and you a few years back when a disgruntled devotee tried to shoot him with a gun!

I think Lokpal Bill should extend to such Godmen and women who amass wealth from poor and wealthy, educated and yet ignorant people and tax them on their assets and revenues!
 

Don't celebrate their death as "samadhi". If Saibaba had donated one organ of his to someone who needed it, I would have appreciated him as a lovable human being!

Let us stop creating and promoting Godmen. We need more Anna Hasare's than Fake Godmen to take India forward!