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Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj, self-styled spiritual leader, dies after shooting himself in Indore
Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj, who counts top political leaders such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and celebrities such as singer Lata Mangeshkar among his disciples, died after shooting himself in Indore.
Self-stlyed spiritual guru Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj died after shooting himself in the head in Indore on Tuesday, shocking thousands of his followers across India.
He was taken to the Bombay Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Avadhesh Goswami, Indore superintendent of police (east), confirmed his death.
In April 2018, Madhya Pradesh’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government gave Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj and four other religious leaders the status of minister of state rank
Bhaiyyu ji, 50, had mediated between the United Progressive Alliance government and Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption crusader’s movement to empower the Lokpal,the watchdog against bribes, in 2011.
Bhaiyyu ji Maharaj, as disciples called Uday Singh Deshmukh, had popular following in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, said news agency PTI.
His ashram is situated in Indore city and top political leaders like Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and celebrities like singer Lata Mangeshkar among others are his disciples.
Fadnavis reacted to the incident and praised the “huge work” Bhaiyyu ji did for the deprived in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
The Mahrashtra CM said farmers and tribals were at the centre of Bhaiyyu Maharaj’s activities. “Bhaiyyu Maharaj’s work towards land reforms, water conservation, farmers (welfare) and education of children will always be remembered. Tributes to him!”
“Am part of mourning of his big family and followers,” the chief minister said on Twitter.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, said the news of Bhauyyu ji’s death was “shocking and unbelievable”. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik, too, expressed grief and observed that the spiritual leader had taken part in several social works in Maharashtra and MP.
(With PTI inputs)
