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Radhe Maa

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Radhe Maa is a controversial[1] Indian spiritual leader based in the Borivali suburb of Mumbai, Maharashtra. In September 2017 Haryana and Punjab High Court ordered police to file a First Information Report on her.[2] Prompted by recent controversies surrounding self-styled godmen, Radhe Maa was listed among 14 "fake spiritual leaders" by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the apex body of Hindu sadhus.[3]

Early life

Radhe Maa's real name is Sukhvinder Kaur. She was born in Dorangala village, Gurdaspur district in Punjab.[4] Her followers state that she was drawn to spirituality as a child, and spent a lot of time at the Kali temple in her village.[4] However, according to people of her village, she did not show any spiritual leanings as a child.[5]

Kaur studied till Class IV.[5] She married Mohan Singh at age 17.[citation needed] She used to stitch clothes to supplement her husband's small income.[5] After her husband left for Doha (Qatar) in search of a better job, she was attracted towards spirituality. At the age of 23, she became a disciple of Mahant Ram Deen Das of 1008 Paramhans Bagh Dera Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district. Ram Deen Das oversaw her tantrik deeksha (initiation ceremony), and gave her the title Radhe Maa ("Mother Radha") [citation needed]

As a spiritual leader

After joining the Paramhans Dera, Sukhvinder Kaur began to show her self as decorated Goddess. Later, she moved to Mumbai, where Manmohan Gupta (MM Mithaiwala) became her disciple. She moved into the Gupta family's house.[6] There is little information about when and how she moved to Mumbai,[5] but in 2015, Sanjeev Gupta of the Gupta family stated that she had lived in their house for the past 12 years.[6]

During her early years in Mumbai, Sukhvinder Kaur used to frequently travel back to Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala in Punjab for satsangs. However, as she started gaining more followers in Mumbai, these visits became infrequent.[7] Around 2003-04, a Hindu organization in Phagwara objected to her portrayal as an incarnation of goddess Durga. Subsequently, she was forced to tender an apology.[5]

Sanjeev Gupta of the Gupta family became a Managing Trustee of "Shri Radhe Guru Maa Charitable Trust".[6] The owner of Global Advertiser, a deals hoardings in the city, Gupta promoted Kaur's divyadarshans ("divine darshan or sight") through billboards across the city.[8] Nikki accused Kaur of inciting her in-laws to demand more dowry, and of forcing her to work at the ashram, where she was physically assaulted. The Guptas dismissed the allegations as a result of a matrimonial dispute.[6][9] On 6 August 2015, the Mumbai Police declared her to have absconded in this alleged case of dowry harassment, and issued a lookout notice against her.[10][11] Another actress Dolly Bindra filed a criminal case of threatening and sexual harassment against her.[12]

In August 2015, videos of self proclaimed god woman (Sukhwinder Kaur)devotees carrying her around during satsangs went viral online. Activist-lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt lodged a police complaint against her for obscenity, running a business disguised as religion, fraud and cheating.[13]

Kaur was banned from the Nashik Kumbh mela by Swaroopanand Saraswati of Dvaraka Pitha and Mahant Gyandas, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad.[4] Sanjeev Gupta dismissed these videos as doctored, and denied allegations of obscene acts at her satsangs.[5] Politician and reality TV entertainer Rahul Mahajan also posted pictures of her dressed in a short dress, which is considered inappropriate for her position. This led to further controversy.[14][15] Again, Gupta dismissed these as morphed.[5] In 2017, actor Rishi Kapoor lashed out at Radhe Maa and other self-styled godmen in India.[16]

References

  1. ^ "From Gurmeet Ram Rahim to Radhe Maa: Top 5 controversial 'Gurus' of India".
  2. ^ "राधे मां के खिलाफ FIR दर्ज करने का आदेश" (in Hindi). Navbharat Times. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Asaram, Ram Rahim, Rampal: The 14 fake babas put on boycott list". Hindustan Times. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  4. ^ a b c "Who is Radhe Maa? Everything you wanted to know about the 'god-woman'". DNA. 2015-08-06.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Gagandeep Dhillon (2015-08-07). "How Sukhwinder Kaur became Radhe Maa". Mumbai Mirror.
  6. ^ a b c d "Controversial godwoman Radhe Maa in trouble". Deccan Herald. 2015-08-07.
  7. ^ "Radhe Maa and her small screen connection".
  8. ^ Gagandeep Dhillon (2015-08-06). "Poster god-woman, who blesses by hugging and dancing, in dowry row". Mumbai Mirror.
  9. ^ Self-appointed godwoman Radhe Maa booked in dowry harassment case, absconding
  10. ^ Police Issues Lookout Notice Against Self-Styled ‘Godwoman’ Radhe Maa
  11. ^ "Mumbai police files criminal case against Radhe Maa following Dolly Bindra's complaint". DNA. 2015-09-01.
  12. ^ Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa in legal trouble, charged with obscenity & abetting dowry
  13. ^ Shocking pic revealed: Now, Rahul Mahajan embarrasses Godwoman Radhe Maa
  14. ^ Why Radhe Maa, Controversial Godwoman, is the Talk of Social Media
  15. ^ "Rishi Kapoor slams godmen and Radhe Maa".
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