Claiming he’ll be back, priest kills self

People thronged a temple in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday to offer puja as news about the suicide of a priest, who claimed to return to life after three days spread. Ejaz Kaiser tells us more.

People thronged a temple in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday to offer puja as news about the suicide of a priest, who claimed to return to life after three days spread.

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Raigarh Mayor Jethuram Manhar was among those who participated in the pujas to revive priest Manoj Baghel who had consumed poison. The police have, however, registered a case.

Manoj was first rushed to the district hospital by his relatives, but his condition deteriorated and was referred to the super speciality Jindal hospital later where he died. Raigarh SP Jayanth Thorate said: “It’s sheer superstition but we are not prepared to take
any chances.”

The priest’s relatives and followers have kept the body in a locked room inside the temple in the hope that he will revive on Monday. They did not allow the district administration to conduct a post-mortem.

District collector Thakur Ram Singh said that the post-mortem is usually conducted when the reason for the death is unknown. “We have already registered a case after being told that Manoj had consumed poison,” said Singh. He said the administration did not know about Manoj’s declaration. “We came to know about the incident on Saturday,” said the collector.

Ram Prasad Baghel, a labourer and father of the pujari, claimed that his son was religious since childhood, but never thought his son will take such a step.