Radhe Maa, Pilot Baba back in fold of seers before Kumbh

PRAYAGRAJ : The Juna Akhada, a Shaivite monastic order of Hindu saints, has welcomed two controversial religious leaders Radhe Maa and Pilot Baba back into its fold as mahamandaleshwars (top office bearers), a few years after they were shown the door.

They have been reinstated just weeks before the formal start of the once-in-six-year Kumbh on the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj on January 15, 2019.

The Juna Akhada’s Mahant Hari Giri said the akhada took the decision for the duo’s return after considering the formal apologies submitted by the two for their conduct in the past and going through reports of probe panels set up to look into allegation against them. Radhe Maa is a godwoman known for her red-gold attire and frequently breaking into dance while giving sermons. Pilot Baba is a retired wing commander-turned ascetic.

The Juna Akhada will now make land available to Pilot Baba for setting up his camp during Kumbh-2019, Giri said. The akhada also said it has granted permission to Radhe Maa to participate in the shahi snan (royal bathing) during the mega religious congregation. However, the akhada maintained that it would be up to these two religious leaders to decide whether they would attend the Kumbh or not. The Juna Akhada had anointed Radhe Maa Mahamandaleshwar in 2012. However, many ascetics expressed their strong reservations on her reported lavish lifestyle and conduct. There were also allegations that the title had been bestowed on her even before her proper initiation into sanyas. The outcry was so intense that the day after the ceremony, the Juna Akhada announced that Radhe Maa’s title would remain suspended until a five-member inquiry committee looked into all the charges. The controversy subsided for a few months but erupted again when the Prayag Kumbh-2013 began. Rumours spread that Radhe Maa would join the contingent of Juna Akhada mahamandaleshwars for the second shaahi snaan. This led to a ruckus and forced the akhada’s office bearers to issue a statement banning controversial godwoman from shaahi snaans.