Nirmal Baba: Difference between revisions
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The success of Nirmal Baba has created a lot of jealousy because he estimated his own annual income at Rs.238 cores without having any power to create miracles or any special knowledge of Yoga or Reiki, Vastushastra or astrology.<ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-23/lucknow/31826015_1_pil-reply-allahabad-high-court</ref> He has merely the gift of the gab which sustains him through his discourses. He is essentially successful because he focuses on the luck factor. Everybody wants to be lucky and Nirmal Baba provides an easy and economic way to be favoured by luck!<ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-06/lucknow/32077813_1_cjm-nirmaljeet-singh-narula-fir</ref> |
The success of Nirmal Baba has created a lot of jealousy because he estimated his own annual income at Rs.238 cores without having any power to create miracles or any special knowledge of Yoga or Reiki, Vastushastra or astrology.<ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-23/lucknow/31826015_1_pil-reply-allahabad-high-court</ref> He has merely the gift of the gab which sustains him through his discourses. He is essentially successful because he focuses on the luck factor. Everybody wants to be lucky and Nirmal Baba provides an easy and economic way to be favoured by luck!<ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-06/lucknow/32077813_1_cjm-nirmaljeet-singh-narula-fir</ref> |
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Similarities b/w Sai Baba & godman Nirmal Baba |
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==Allegations of fraud== |
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'Nirmal Darbar' a trust<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharif|first=Aslan|title=Nirmal Baba is media struck {{!}} His ferry seems to be sinking post tv interview|url=http://www.pardaphash.com/news/nirmal-baba-is-media-struck-his-ferry-seems-to-be-sinking-post-tv-interview/690969.html|accessdate=24 April 2012|newspaper=Parda Phash|date=14 April 2012}}</ref> and spiritual program run by Nirmal Baba came under media and legal attacks because of its allegedly fraudulent activities and for charging exorbitant sums of money from people claiming to solve their problems with the help of self proclaimed "divine powers" and solutions through eating certain things like rabdi, pani-puri etc.<ref>[http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-nirmal-babas-disciple-registered-complaint-in-court-hearing-on-1st-may-3123890.html Nirmal Baba's disciple registered complaint in court; Hearing on 1st May]. Bhaskar News (2012-04-17)</ref> Soon after the media criticism, his [[Facebook]] page was flooded with comments from supporters and fans. The news site ''[[Dailybhaskar]]'' has alleged that many of these Facebook profiles are fake.<ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/more-disclosures-put-nirmal-baba-in-tight-spot_769932.html More disclosures put Nirmal Baba in tight spot]. Zeenews.india.com (2012-04-14). Retrieved on 2013-01-17.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Selling spirituality: 'Fraud' Nirmal Baba has fake followers too|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-fraud-nirmal-baba-has-fake-followers-too-3125750.html|accessdate=17 April 2012|newspaper=Bhaskar News|date=2012-04-17}}</ref> |
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According to [http://news.oneindia.in/2012/04/20/similarity-between-sai-baba-godman-nirmal-baba.html Oneindianews]Nirmal Baba have similarities to sai Baba.Despite several stern controversies over Nirmal Baba, the followers of the godman still keep their faith on the spiritual guru. Their beliefs on their guru compel them to think that Nirmal Baba shares some common features with Sai Baba. According to supporters and true followers of Nirmal Baba, their guru can show magics with his divine power as Shirdi Sai Baba used to show. The devotees of Nirmal Baba also show few more similarities between Shirdi Sai Baba and Nirmal Baba saying that even Shirdi Sai had faced opposition during his lifetime as Nirmal has been facing since last few weeks. During a samagam in Delhi on Wednesday, Apr 18, a follower of Nirmal Baba has been quoted as saying, "...even Sai Baba used to show his magical powers just like you (Nirmal Baba) do." Showing their wrath on the media for allegedly pursuing an anti-Nirmal Baba campaign, the godman's disciples claimed, "...they (the media) will face the wrath of fate, definitely." Meanwhile, Nirmal Baba claimed, "My devotees are themselves exposing these conspiracies. It's they (media) who are being exposed by bringing forth fake devotees and getting them to say things against me." Earlier, the supporters of Nirmal Baba lashed out at the media for showing the self-proclaimed Godman in a negative light after a series of controversies started questioning his genuineness as a spiritual guru. According to his followers, the media is trying to tarnish Nirmal Baba's image by not reporting the truth. They further said that media's allegations against Nirmal Baba will have no effect on their belief towards spiritual guru. |
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A couple from Ludhiana, Baba's home town, also filed a police complaint against him for duping them financially.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nirmal Baba cheated on us: couple from Ludhiana|url=http://www.newsbullet.in/india/34-more/28651-Nirmal%20Baba%20cheated%20us:%20Ludhiana%20couple|publisher=Star News|accessdate=14 April 2012}}</ref> On April 16, 2012, the couple and three others were arrested for using forgery to steal {{INR convert|1.7|c}} from Baba.<ref name=punjab>{{Cite news|title=Nirmal Baba self proclaimed guru faces more trouble| url=http://punjabnewsline.com/content/nirmal-baba-self-proclaimed-guru-faces-more-trouble-pil-filed-and-investigation-ordered}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Nirmal Baba's disciples booked for forgery|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/Nirmal-Babas-disciples-booked-for-forgery/articleshow/12688532.cms|accessdate=17 April 2012|newspaper=Times of India|date=17 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Case lodged against Nirmal Baba disciples for forgery|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/case-lodged-against-nirmal-baba-disciples-for-forgery/986447.html|accessdate=17 April 2012|newspaper=IBN Live|date=April 16, 2012}}</ref> |
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In another development, Nirmal Baba was informed by several priests of the country that he would not be allowed and will be forced to stay away from sacred Hindu pilgrimage Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad next year due to alleged fraud.<ref>[http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-fraud-nirmal-babas-entry-banned-into-holy-kumbh-mela-3154553.html 'Fraud' Nirmal Baba's entry banned into 'holy' Kumbh Mela]. daily.bhaskar.com (2012-04-23). Retrieved on 2013-01-17.</ref> |
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Eventually on 9th may 2012, a local court directed Lucknow police to register a case of fraud and cheating against him on the initial complaint filed by two minors.<ref name=timesofindia>{{cite news|title=Lodge fraud case against Nirmal Baba, says Chief Judicial Magistrate|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Lodge-fraud-case-against-Nirmal-Baba-says-Chief-Judicial-Magistrate/articleshow/13073944.cms|accessdate=10 May 2012|newspaper=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com|date=10 May 2012}}</ref> The Lucknow police acted on 12th may and charged him with cheating, fraud and impersonation under various sections (including [[Section 420]]) of the [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lucknow Police files FIR against Nirmal Baba|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lucknow-police-files-fir-against-nirmal-baba/257199-3.html|publisher=ibnlive|accessdate=12 May 2012}}</ref><ref name=nesbullet>{{cite news|title=FIR against Nirmal Baba for superstition|url=http://www.newsbullet.in/india/34/29902|accessdate=20 May 2012|newspaper=newsbullet india}}</ref><ref name=FIRSTPOST>{{cite news|title=FIR for cheating, fraud: Nirmal Baba running out of luck?|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/fir-for-cheating-fraud-nirmal-baba-running-out-of-luck-307433.html|accessdate=20 May 2012|newspaper=FIRSTPOST}}</ref> The matter is still under investigation. During further investigations, it was found that Nirmal Baba had invested the donations collected in his ''samagam'' and ''daswant'' into buying a hotel worth{{INR convert|30|c}} in [[Greater Kailash]] area of [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nirmal Baba used donations to buy hotel |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/nirmal-baba-used-donations-to-buy-hotel_770086.html|publisher=Zee news|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref> |
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In a separate development, a PIL was filed against Nirmal for transmission of his allegedly fraudulent t.v programs where the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court sought a reply from the Central government on the ban of broadcast of Nirmal Baba's controversial programs on different t.v channels.<ref name="punjabnewsline.com"/><ref>[http://www.financialexpress.com/news/ban-nirmal-babas-tv-transmissions-pil/952451 Ban Nirmal Baba's TV transmissions: PIL]. Financialexpress.com (2012-05-22). Retrieved on 2013-01-17.</ref> |
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In September 2012, the Delhi High Court barred Nirmal Baba from "giving any kind of absurd or illogical solutions" to his disciples. The High Court also opined that this might automatically put an end to the media ridicule.<ref>[http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-15/india/33861979_1_nirmal-baba-justice-kailash-gambhir-delhi-high-court End irrational talk, HC tells Nirmal Baba – Times Of India]. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2012-09-15). Retrieved on 2013-01-17.</ref> |
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On May 20, 2012, A Bihar court issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Nirmal.<ref name=Timesofindia>{{cite news|title=Non-bailable warrant issued against Nirmal Baba|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-20/patna/31787967_1_bailable-warrant-bihar-court||date=2012-05-20|newspaper=Times of India}}</ref><ref name=samaylive>{{cite news|title=Nirmal Baba likely to be arrested|url=http://english.samaylive.com/regional-news/bihar-news/676504216/nirmal-baba-likely-to-be-arrested.html|date=2012-05-20|newspaper=samaylive}}</ref> The next day, on 21 May, Nirmal Baba moved to Patna high court challenging the legality of non-bailable arrest warrant.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite news|title=Nirmal Baba challenges non-bailable arrest warrant|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Nirmal-Baba-challenges-non-bailable-arrest-warrant/Article1-859095.aspx|date=2012-05-21|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name=IBNLIVE>{{cite news|title=Nirmal Baba challenges non-bailable arrest warrant|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nirmal-baba-challenges-nonbailable-arrest-warrant/260001-3.html|newspaper=IBNlive.in|date=2012-05-21}}</ref> After hearing his petition the high court stayed his arrest on 23 May.<ref name="hindustan times">{{cite news|title=HC stays operation of NBW against Nirmal Baba|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/HC-stays-operation-of-NBW-against-Nirmal-Baba/Article1-859968.aspx|date=2012-05-23|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name="Zee news">{{cite news|title=HC stays Nirmal Baba’s arrest, for now|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/hc-stays-nirmal-babas-arrest-for-now_777081.html|date=2012-05-23|newspaper=Zee News}}</ref> |
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It is believed that [[Yograj Singh]], Indian cricketer [[Yuvraj Singh]]'s father paid a hefty sum of INR 2,000,000 (USD 36,805) to Nirmal Babaji to get his blessings and make "kirpa" (God's kindness) flow in [[Yuvraj Singh|Yuvraj]]'s life to help him in recovering from mediastinal seminoma cancer.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/16893866</ref> After taking the money, Nirmal Babaji assured that [[Yuvraj Singh|Yuvraj]] does need any other treatment. [[Yuvraj Singh|Yuvraj]]'s parents kept on waiting for him to recover but the symptoms got worse and his pain increased. Finally feeling let down by Nirmal Babaji, they decided to take [[Yuvraj Singh|Yuvraj]] to USA for further treatment.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16901940</ref> In an interview with PTC News Channel, [[Yograj Singh]] talked about the money paid to Nirmal Babaji. Shabnam Singh, [[Yuvraj Singh|Yuvraj]]'s mother went on to clarify that Nirmal Babaji had refunded their money after his blessings proved to be ineffective in treating the cancer.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/15909339</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U-_sDU5LWM</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAXe4g4XNOI</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 06:27, 21 February 2013
Nirmal Baba | |
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Nirmal Baba | |
Personal | |
Born | Nirmaljeet Singh Narula |
Website | http://nirmalbaba.com/ |
Nirmaljeet Singh Narula or Nirmal Baba is a Godman and "spiritual leader" known for his public discourses and has followers in some parts of India. Nirmal Baba alias Nirmaljeet Singh Narula became controversial and came to limelight following several allegations of cheating and fraud against him in several states.[1]
Life
Nirmal Baba, former name Nirmaljit Singh Nirula, was born in 1952 in Samana, India, near Patiala Punjab, to a Namdhari Sikh family and is the youngest of two brothers and three sisters.[2] He grew up in Palamau, Jharkhand after his parents shifted there in the Fifties.[3] He is married to Sushma Narula and has a daughter and a son.[4]
Nirmaljit Singh began his brick kiln business in 1981. However, he suffered losses and following this, he started a cloth shop but again failed in his venture.[5] He was then involved in mining of Kyanite from Jyoti Hill, Jharkhand in 1998–1999.[6]
He claims to have attained nirvana in a Jharkhand jungle in the 1980s. He then cut his Sikh hair, shaved off his beard and adopted the name Nirmal Baba.[3]
Nirmal Darbar
Nirmal Darbar used to be the name of the paid televised show corresponding to each public meeting of Baba. This show was broadcast by approximately 40 different channels including AXN, TV Asia, Star News, SAB TV and more.[7] During these Darbars, he used to make public appearances and conversed with aggrieved devotees who usually narrated their personal, social or financial worries to him. He would ask questions to diagnose what has stopped "kirpa" (God's kindness) from flowing in the devotees' lives. He then, used to advise them on those issues publicly and suggested "solutions" to make "kirpa" (God's kindness) flow in the devotees' lives again thereby solving their problems. Nirmal Baba also claims to save his devotees from negative effects of black magic and evil spirits. All the Samagam meetings had tickets for ₹2,000 (US$24).[8] The tagline of the show is "Yantra chale na tantra mantra, na rahe dukhon ka ghera. Bhagya uday ho jayega jab ho, Nirmal Baba aashirwad tera." meaning "Even when objects representing aspects of divine and mystical hymns and sounds having special meanings fail, good luck can be awakened in a person's life by blessings of Nirmal Babaji."[9]
Kirpa
Many babas blame "bad luck” or some planetary or other influences like Shani, Mangal, Rahu, etc. Nirmal Baba maintains that the origin of good luck is from powers (shakti) which are constantly granting favours (kripa) to all people in the world.[10] However, some people create impediments in the flow of kripa and this is what causes "bad luck”. Nirmal Baba claims he diagnoses the impediments and gives some simple remedies to remove the impediments to keep the flow of kripa.[11] In fact he is like a plumber who removes impediments in a pipe to keep the flow going. His remedies are very simple. They basically consist of
a) Keeping in touch with the shaktis so that they are induced to keep the kripa flowing. He advises his devotees to visit temples regularly so that kripa will continue flowing.[12]
b) He advocates giving of charity like free food to be distributed to poor people to support the flow of kripa.[13]
c) He identifies some action of the devotee which creates impediments in the flow of kripa.[14] For example he feels the reason a devotee does not conceive a child is because she is eating samosa with red sauce instead of green chatni, consequently showing red signal to the flow of kripa. If she eats the samosa with green chatni, the signal will become green and the kripa will start flowing again.[15] He advocates keeping a money plant in a glass bottle to keep the money flowing. He advises devotees to close their eyes and open their purses or wallets so that the kripa will flow into the purses or wallets and eventually fill them with money.[16]
He has classified devotees’ intentions: getting money, getting child, getting job, getting growth in business, among other things, and he gives a simple plan of action to remove impediments in the flow of kripa. This encourages the devotees to follow the plan of action. If the steps are successful and devotees get money Nirmal Baba suggests 10% of the money should be donated to the poor as "Daswand". He also charges Rs.2000/- per devotee attending the conference which he calls "samagam”.[17] From the point of view of the devotees who are mostly middle class these are steps easy to take. In the period he specifies, some devotees get some success which they attribute to Nirmal Baba’s blessings (aashirwad). Other devotees wait for some more time. Once they start believing in Nirmal Baba they credit anything good happening, to his blessings. One devotee who got into a car accident and damaged his car said he was saved because of Nirmal Baba’s blessing. Only the car was damaged![18]
Thus, Nirmal Baba has created a safe and simple system of keeping the kripa flowing and improving his devotee’s luck. Compared to other babas, this does not involve any black magic or rituals to pacify or counter the planetary influence of Shani, Mangal, Rahu, etc and is simple to follow. Those who cannot afford to pay Rs.2000/- to attend the "samagam”, can watch it on TV and still get the flow of kripa and the blessings of Nirmal Baba free.[19] They can also follow the advice given by Nirmal Baba to the devotees who attend in person in case they find that advice is applicable to them and get the benefit free of cost! He does not advocate any specific medicines so that he does not come under the mischief of the Magical Remedies Act. He does not take any money from the devotees except attendance fee for the samagam. The devotees pay 10% of the profit if they wish to pay.[20] Thus the entire process seems to involve no special cost and not surprisingly the number of devotees has grown to a few lakhs (Nirmal Baba claims one crore of devotees all over the world).Nearly 40 TV channels telecast the Nirmal Baba programme every day (as paid advertisement) and for many people it is a good substitute for the news channel and even the entertainment soaps.[21]
The success of Nirmal Baba has created a lot of jealousy because he estimated his own annual income at Rs.238 cores without having any power to create miracles or any special knowledge of Yoga or Reiki, Vastushastra or astrology.[22] He has merely the gift of the gab which sustains him through his discourses. He is essentially successful because he focuses on the luck factor. Everybody wants to be lucky and Nirmal Baba provides an easy and economic way to be favoured by luck![23]
Similarities b/w Sai Baba & godman Nirmal Baba
According to OneindianewsNirmal Baba have similarities to sai Baba.Despite several stern controversies over Nirmal Baba, the followers of the godman still keep their faith on the spiritual guru. Their beliefs on their guru compel them to think that Nirmal Baba shares some common features with Sai Baba. According to supporters and true followers of Nirmal Baba, their guru can show magics with his divine power as Shirdi Sai Baba used to show. The devotees of Nirmal Baba also show few more similarities between Shirdi Sai Baba and Nirmal Baba saying that even Shirdi Sai had faced opposition during his lifetime as Nirmal has been facing since last few weeks. During a samagam in Delhi on Wednesday, Apr 18, a follower of Nirmal Baba has been quoted as saying, "...even Sai Baba used to show his magical powers just like you (Nirmal Baba) do." Showing their wrath on the media for allegedly pursuing an anti-Nirmal Baba campaign, the godman's disciples claimed, "...they (the media) will face the wrath of fate, definitely." Meanwhile, Nirmal Baba claimed, "My devotees are themselves exposing these conspiracies. It's they (media) who are being exposed by bringing forth fake devotees and getting them to say things against me." Earlier, the supporters of Nirmal Baba lashed out at the media for showing the self-proclaimed Godman in a negative light after a series of controversies started questioning his genuineness as a spiritual guru. According to his followers, the media is trying to tarnish Nirmal Baba's image by not reporting the truth. They further said that media's allegations against Nirmal Baba will have no effect on their belief towards spiritual guru.
References
- ^ "Cheating, fraud cases against Nirmal Baba in UP". Ghaziabad: The Indian Express. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ^ Punjab News | Breaking News | Latest Online News. Punjabnewsline.com. Retrieved on 2013-01-17. [dead link]
- ^ a b Bad press makes no dent in Nirmal Baba's popularity : North, News – India Today. Indiatoday.intoday.in (2012-05-01). Retrieved on 2013-01-17.
- ^ Shakti Sharma (2012-04-19) Who is Nirmal Baba?. The Sunday Indian. Retrieved on 2013-01-17.
- ^ "STAR News Exclusive: Hard facts about Nirmal Baba". Star News. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ^ "'Nirmal Baba fled without paying house rent'". Prabhat Khabar. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ "How Nirmal Baba rose to popularity on the web". Daily Bhaskar.com. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
- ^ http://www.nirmalbaba.com/
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-baba-and-his-recipes-to-stardom/941484/0
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-14/delhi/33843509_1_nirmal-baba-samagams-electronic-media
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-15/india/33861979_1_nirmal-baba-justice-kailash-gambhir-delhi-high-court
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-27/patna/32439951_1_nbw-case-diary-cjm
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-05/india/32054942_1_cjm-aditya-writ-petition
- ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/news/court-dismisses-plea-for-fir-against-nirmal-baba/307560-3.html
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/HC-raps-Nirmal-Baba-for-absurd-solutions/Article1-930021.aspx
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/HC-reserves-order-on-Nirmal-Baba-s-petition/Article1-859533.aspx
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Bhopal/stop-telecast-of-nirmal-baba-show-arrest-him-court/Article1-865123.aspx
- ^ http://zeenews.india.com/news/madhya-pradesh/no-relief-for-nirmal-baba-in-cheating-case_782636.html
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-13/lucknow/31689451_1_cheating-superstition-fraud-case
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Nirmal-Baba-moves-HC-against-site/Article1-840760.aspx
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-22/india/32368131_1_arrest-warrant-hc-sets-godman
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-23/lucknow/31826015_1_pil-reply-allahabad-high-court
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-06/lucknow/32077813_1_cjm-nirmaljeet-singh-narula-fir