Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj
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YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
As in 2024 Aug
Shubhangi Khapre, Sep 4, 2024: The Indian Express
IN A SERIES of recent communal flare-ups in poll-bound Maharashtra, one thing has been common: the presence at the centre of a seer in his early 50s, who has been conducting religious sermons in a dozen talukas of North Maharashtra for the past 15 years, barely raising a ripple.
The all-in-saffron Mahant himself faces 51 FIRs across the state, over alleged derogatory remarks made by him against Prophet Mohammed last month. He has refused to back down on them. In an indication of why, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised that under his government, “not even a hair of” Ramgiri Maharaj would come to any harm.
The seer’s clout comes from being the leader of the Sadguru Shri Gagangiri Maharaj Sansthan, located in Shrirampur in Ahmednagar district, which has a huge following among the warkaris, who do an annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
Every year, the Sansthan holds a week-long religious session called Harinam Saptah. It was at this year’s meeting in Nashik, on August 16, that Ramgiri Maharaj made the alleged controversial remarks. A video of his remarks went viral, provoking a backlash from Muslim leaders and organisations demanding his arrest, and protests by mobs threatening violence against those who speak against Islam and the Prophet.
The FIRs registered against Ramgiri Maharaj include charges of using words with intent to hurt religious feelings, promoting enmity between groups over religion, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation.
In counter protests, remote areas dotted across Ahmednagar, Nashik and Sambhajinagar have seen Ramgiri Maharaj’s followers hit the streets demanding that the FIRs against him be withdrawn. There is a larger support campaign for the seer on social media.
In his speech, under the banner of the Sakal Hindu Samaj – which is known for the its “anti-love jihad” rallies across Maharashtra – Rane justified the seer’s remarks and said: “If anybody says anything against Ramgiri Maharaj, we will enter your mosque and hit you one by one.”
Ramgiri Maharaj has denied attacking anybody’s religious sentiments, adding: “I have not said anything wrong. Unless proved otherwise, I stand by my statement.”
A follower and kirtankar (someone who renders devotional hymns), Vivek Maharaj, says: “During his religious discourse, he (Ramgiri Maharaj) pointed to the atrocities against Hindu women in Bangladesh. But unfortunately the context seems to have been lost, triggering the controversy.”
While refusing to be drawn into the issue, Vivek Maharaj cautions: “Ramgiri Maharaj’s followers will not tolerate any action against him. And this is evident from their ongoing protests.”
CM Shinde’s open support for the seer is also being seen as an indication that the government is not inclined towards taking action against him. Shinde backed Ramagiri Maharaj while attending the Harinam Saptah at Nashik, the session where the seer made the alleged remarks.
Shinde said, “We will ensure nobody dares touch even a strand of his hair. Ramgiri Maharaj is contributing towards guiding the society and the warkaris. Our mentor Anand Dighe (the late Shiv Sena leader) also attended Harinam Saptah. The state has a long tradition of saints and seers.”
In June this year, Ramgiri Maharaj attended an R S S training camp in Nagpur and was photographed on the stage along with Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.
As per the brief information known about the seer, he was born as Suresh Ramkrishna Rane in Jalgaon district in North Maharashtra. While still in Class 9, he was drawn to a religious centre for Bhagwat Gita teachings called Swadhya Kendra.
Says one of his associates, “After completing Class 10, Ramgiri Maharaj moved to Ahmednagar district to pursue a diploma course at an ITI. But he quit studies and took diksha (blessing) from spiritual guru Narayangiri Maharaj, who himself was a disciple of Gagangiri Maharaj.”
Other associates claim to have heard that he “wandered the Himalayas for several years” after this.
In 2009, Ramgiri Maharaj was elevated as head of the Sadguru Shri Gagangiri Maharaj Sansthan, following the demise of his mentor Narayangiri. The elevation was controversial as others senior to Ramgiri Maharaj contested for the coveted post. The matter landed in court, and Ramgiri Maharaj emerged the winner.
A fellow devotee regrets this “first ever controversy” involving the religious head and organisation, saying it could have been avoided. “We earned the goodwill of all the political parties and leaders in the past. Now, after this controversy, it is difficult to say how things will turn. The tag of any party or politics (for a religious organisation) is not good.”
As per Opposition leaders, the Sansthan’s political leanings are distinctly pro-BJP, and have come to the fore ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for later this year in which the Mahayuti ruling coalition faces an uphill battle.
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule denies the Opposition’s claims of the party trying to polarise the elections between Hindus and Muslims as “false propaganda”. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, says: “Police have already filed FIRs (against Ramgiri Maharaj). They are looking into the matter.”
