Revision as of 23:31, 12 August 2015

Radhe Maa’s supporters are being too clever by half when they say that she never claimed to be a deity. What else do the halos around her suggest?
This collage has been clipped from the ‘Swaroops’ section of her website. [1] Swaroop means ‘manifestation.’ Only deities have manifestations.
The Facebook page ‘Param Shradhey Shri Radhe Maa’ accepts as much and has an album devoted to Radhe Maa’s ‘divine manifestations.’

Param Shradhey Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa

Param Shradhey= the most venerable. Mamtãmai= She who loves everyone like a mother.

Even a ‘holy mother who brims with maternal love’ (which is what Shree Mamtamai Maa literally means) is entitled to some love of material things.
Radhe Maa/ Sukhwinder Kaur in posh surroundings in Dubai. Picture: The Rahul Mahajan

As Dolly Bindra tweeted: there is nothing wrong in getting photographed in a (Western) dress, because looking pretty is every woman's right. Radhe Maa/ Sukhwinder Kaur, apparently in Dubai during a shopping trip.. Picture: The Rahul Mahajan

Apparently, Radhe Maa reverts to being Sukhwinder Kaur when in Dubai.
The twitterati have unfairly compared her with Sunny Leone (unfair to Leone); this pose is more like actress Bindu of the 1970s. Picture: The Rahul Mahajan

The authors of this page are…

(DNAIndia) (DNA India) TheRahulMahajan

ndtv.com (FirstPost.com, citing PTI)

RadheMaa.com

Radhe Maa is …

Mamtãmai Shrî Rãdhé Gurû Maa is the name that Sukhwinder Kaur gave herself when she decided to become a ‘godwoman,’ i.e. the leader of a religious cult. While Radhe Maa has high-profile devotees in Mumbai, where she is based, a major chunk of her religious activities is centred around her native Punjab.

The youthful looking Radhe Maa is married, has children and is a grandmother. (DNAIndia)

If Radhe Maa has a philosophy, her devotees (who include top-notch advertising professionals) have not put it up on her well-constructed website ([2]). Instead, the website tells us about ‘Divine experiences,’ ‘Social activities,’ ‘Chowkis’ and ‘Bhents.’ Thus, instead of projecting her as a guru (teacher), they are billing her as a metropolitan version of Punjab’s small-town satsang- (congregation), chowki- (religious ceremony; since the late 20th century, a ceremony accompanied by trendy religious songs) and bhent- (devotional song) leaders.

Radhe Maa has gathered a major following because very obviously devotees find bliss in her presence and at her gatherings. This is a role that Hindu, Muslim and Sikh mendicants (and the USA’s TV evangelists) have played over the centuries: providing solace to their flock.

The person

Childhood

The lady later known as Param Shradhey (the most venerable) Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa was born on April 4, 1965 in village Dorangla in the Gurudaspur district of Punjab. Mamtamai means ‘full of maternal love.’

Her father was an official in the Punjab government.

Her pet name was Gudia (little doll) and her formal name Sukhwinder Kaur. When she was five, fate struck a cruel blow, and Sukhwinder Kaur received the first shock of her life.

She lost her mother.

She started spending time at the Maa Kali temple close to her house.

Sukhwinder Kaur studied till Class X. She loved listening to Gurbani. At an age when children play with dolls and toy houses, Sukhwinder Kaur 's mind was keener on bhakti (prayer, devotion).

A long-distance marriage

Sukhwinder Kaur was married when she turned 18.

Her husband Mohan Singh of Mukerian village in district Hoshiarpur was from a joint family, well-to-do by rural standards. His family owned a popular sweetmeat shop in the village. Sukhwinder Kaur used to stitch clothes to supplement her husband's income ([3]). In time, she gave birth to two sons. Shortly after, her husband left for the Gulf for better employment ([4]), leaving his young wife and two children behind.

Sukhwinder felt an emptiness after her husband left. It was not easy for her to cope.

However, Sukhwinder was not daunted. She had time on her hands and a skill—sewing. She took to tailoring and even taught the skill to other girls in the neighbourhood.

Taking to religion

Whatever time remained after giving sewing lessons, Sukhwinder Kaur devoted to reciting the Gurbani. Her family worried for her because she was often seen lost in thought. Her father took heed of her state and took her to Mahant Ramdin Das 1008, the caretaker of the Paramhans Bagh Dera.

The venerable Mahant was impressed with the devotion of Sukhwinder Kaur. From that day onwards, Sukhwinder Kaur began to visit the dera every day and offered worship to the deities there. Her devotion to Lord Shiva was so intense that she experienced the first stirrings of vairagya (renunciation). A day came when she lost all interest in worldly matters, including her family and marriage. Her husband was abroad when this happened.

People in her village said her transformation began some time in her early 20s when she joined the local Paramhans Dera. They said that she was very influenced by the Paramhans Dera's head Ram Deen Das and began attending satsangs (‘congregations of good people’). Soon she was holding her own satsangs. While it is not clear when [or why] she moved to Mumbai, she did face some trouble when some Hindu organisations objected to her claiming to be a reincarnation of Durga. This saw her move from her native Punjab to Mumbai. (DNA India)

Around the age of 23, Sukhwinder Kaur decided that she was no longer a householder and dedicated herself completely to God. Around this time she took on the name Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa. However, devotees who had in those months attached themselves to her refused to let her wear the robes of a sanyasin. They adorned her as an act of devotion and Radhe Maa did not turn down their offerings.

Radhe Guru Maa's compelling personality attracted numerous devotees to her. Some began to invite her home when they held pujas, satsangs and chowkis.

Her rise in popularity was propelled by Mumbai businessman Sanjeev Gupta, the owner of Global Advertiser, whose company handles various prime-location hoardings in the city. Celebrities, some of them from Filmistan, became her followers. Her husband and two children moved back with her. According to her devotees, her relationship with her husband and children resembled that of a guru and disciple. (DNA India)

Her two principal aides

Around this time, a young girl from Mukeriãn whom the congregation knows today as Chhoti Maa came for Radhe Guru Maa's darshan. She became a regular at the darshans and in a few months committed herself to a lifetime of service to Radhe Guru Maa. Chhoti Maa, who hails from a well-to-do family, has been in Guru Maa's service for the last 15 years. She has two brothers who are settled in Australia.

It was during one of these visits, Mamtamai Shri Radhe Maa and Chhoti Maa visited Phagwada that they met the 12-to13-year-old who is today known as Talli Baba. Deeply impressed with Radhe Guru Maa's character, the boy's father had no qualms in allowing him to enter her service. Talli Baba is today among Guru Maa's foremost sevadars.

‘Talli’ is the exact equivalent of ‘blotto,’ the jokey word for ‘sozzled’ or ‘drunk.’ It led Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) to tweet, ‘Radhe Maa's secretary is called Talli Baba. I think it's a spoof cult. Like Hotshots, the movie.’

Radhe Maa acquires devotees…

Devotees very obviously found their lives enriched with Guru Maa's blessings and experienced calm in their hearts. Over the years, she visited Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Guraya, Phagwada, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panipat and Delhi.

… who stand by her though thin and thin

[5]

When Rahul Mahajan posted pictures of Radhe Maa wearing red hotpants and red knee-high boots, many in politics and in the film fraternity reached out to reiterate their belief in her.

Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Vijay Sampla said that the allegations against Radhe Maa lacked substance and people were free to follow their belief.

“She did not take any dowry during the marriage of her two sons and why should she ask any family to harass their daughter-in-law for dowry ,“ Sampla said, adding, “Both her daughters-in-law are living happily .“ Sampla, whose pictures with Radhe Maa had gone viral on social media, said she also happened to be a voter of his constituency Hoshiarpur.

Prominent adman Prahlad Kakkar tweeted, "Why should sadhus wear rags and dreadlocks? Radhe Maa’s style makes her unique". Dolly Bindra tweeted that there was nothing wrong in wearing a dress and getting clicked as looking pretty was every woman's right.

Rakhi Sawant wrote, "There is different aura around her, full of positive energy. I respect radhe Maa as she gives me strength."

Subhash Ghai commented, " Yes. Being the devotees of mata Vaishnu Devi Me n my wife mukta have been visiting Radhey Maa ...She had been very affectionate to both of us N treat us like her parents. We have never experienced any such kind of indecent act or atmosphere as being talked about in society today."

However, Rishi Kapoor did not agree. He tweeted, ‘Make up, lipstick, eye shadow, jewellery et al. for discourses? Is that my friend [the overweight, loudly attirred] Bappi Lahiri without his glasses?’ He added, ‘Jaago India Jaago!Kamzori ka faida uthaya ja raha hai by these actors. I am too, but I entertain not deceive. Sochna!’

Renuka Deshpande (@PettingLeopards) added, ‘Evidence (tacky clothes, general hilarity) suggests that Radhe Maa is the Govinda of godwomen’ [Govinda was merely silly, not as tacky as Bappi Lahiri]

(DNA India)

Maternal love or material love?

India TV's sting operation [India TV's reporters Sarita Singh and Manish Kumar Singh ] secretly filmed Radhe Maa's luxurious life style in 2012. They reported:

“India TV …showed the elusive world of Radhe Maa that very few people have seen.

“Your eyes will be dazzled by the grandeur and luxury of the palace where the living goddess of Kalyuga resides.

“India TV reporters visited the multi-storey Gupta residence in Borivli where men and women sat in anticipation. The wall that made the back of the stage had pictures of Radhe Ma.

“There were two lounges, one for general public that had pedestal fans and the other well decorated air-conditioned room for VVIP devotees where actress Shamita Shetty was waiting with her mother for their turn.

“Radhe Ma sits on the fifth floor. The passage and hall that led to her had the appearance of a richly done pandal.

“Up, on the fifth floor, the deep maroon floor sparkled under the soft glow of focus lights. The corners of the waiting hall had faux pillars that were painted golden.

“At a lower floor in the building there was a sumptuous langar dinner. Devotees could choose between plain bottled water, soft drinks in cans and can even have poori-sabzi.

“It is said there is no distinction in God's house between rich and poor but it was clearly evident at her house.”

Indpaedia’s take: As long as Radhey Maa is paying all taxes that are due and doing nothing illegal, the lavishness of her lifestyle is between her devotees and her.

Controversies

i) Claiming to be a reincarnation of the deity Durga: This got so serious that Radhe Maa had to leave the Punjab. However, her principal promoter in Mumbai, Sanjeev Gupta, insists that Radhe Maa had never claimed to be a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. (Sanjeev Gupta is a Managing Trustee for the Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa Charitable Trust.)

ii) Dancing at satsangs: Gupta wrote, “All this talk of Maa dancing at satsangs are motivated lies. There has never been an instance where she was lifted by a devotee and her devotees dance to the tunes of bhajans.”

With a nom de guerre like Radhe, taken after Radha the consort of Sri Krishn, dancing to ‘romantic-devotional’ music (expressing love for Sri Krishn), is part of the tradition. ‘Godwomen’ have not done it in the past because there have been very few godwomen, and even fewer who claimed spiritual affinity with Radha. If Radhe Maa’s devotees have no objection, nor should others.

However, this was enough to get Radhe Maa the sobriquet ‘the dancing god-woman.’

ii) Obscene of behaviour: Advocate Falguni Brambhatt has filed a complaint of obscenity against Radhe Maa, on the ground that the god-woman reportedly allows her followers to kiss and hug her.

Radhe Maa’s general image of a godwoman-going-hep prompted this remark on Twitter, ‘So the song "Kal Raat Mata Ka Mujhe, Email Aaya Hai Mata Ne Mujhko Facebook Pe Bulaya Hai" was written for Radhe Ma’ pic.twitter.com/4MVqbF5SHQ

iii) Banned from the Kumbh Mela, Nashik: Radhe Maa was denied entry to the Kumbh Mela in Nashik by the Dwarkapeeth Shankaracharya Swami Swarupanand. Mahant Gyandas, who is the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad said, "The entry of pretenders is rising in the sacred arena of sadhus and mahants. Trikal Bhavanta, Radhe Maa, and Sachchidananda, who is a liquor professional, should be restrained from participating in the 'shahi snan' (sacred bath)."

iv) Hot mama’s thunder thighs: ‘The Rahul Mahajan’ published three pictures of the attractive spiritual leader wearing a very short pink dress, pink knee-high boots and a modish pink beret. Loyalist Gupta wrote on social media that the exotic pictures of Radhe Maa had been morphed. Mahajan reiterated that the pictures were ‘100% real, bro.’ Apparently, Radhe Maa had decided to let her hair down (and hitch her skirt up) during a shopping expedition in Dubai.

While her clothes are her personal business, NowSlimmerThanBefore (@sidin) can not be blamed for tweeting, ‘Radhe Maa has very good skin.’

v) Radhe Maa was named in a complaint filed under the Dowry Prohibition Act by a 32-year-old woman from Kandivali. The complaint accused Radhe Maa of instigating the woman's in-laws and husband to harass her for dowry. The woman was quoted saying: “My husband and in-laws used to say I had not got enough jewellery and cash from my parents.” She also said that she had been tortured.

(Unless the lady from Kandivali has a tape recording or written evidence, this case will be hard to prove in a court of law.)

vi) Farmer suicides: On a more serious note, mid-day.com reported: 'Fooled Into Giving Radhe Maa Rs 1.5 cr, Four Farmers Killed Themselves.' The daily wrote:

‘A complaint filed in the Kandivli Police station yesterday alleged that Radhe and two of her accomplices [Sonal and Balaran Das] had fooled a farming family of seven [in Nigar Village in Kutch] in Gujarat by taking nearly Rs 1.5 crore from them to ensure that peace and prosperity reigned in their house.

‘Four of the farmers, who had paid the money over a period of time by selling off their lands, had committed suicide last year after realising that they had been fooled and had lost their money.

‘In the four-page complaint, filed by Ramesh Joshi, president of Dharm Rakshak Maha Manch, [Joshi] claimed that Radhe was making money by fooling innocent people into believing that she could turn around their lives and make them prosperous.’

Radhe Maa’s reaction

When quizzed by mediapersons, Radhe Maa reportedly broke down and said, “I don't want to say anything, God will do justice to me.”

A devotee wrote on his Facebook page: “[This sudden spurt of allegations] appear to be connected with a dispute between Shri Nakul Gupta and the extended Gupta joint family. Mamtamai Shri Radhe Guru Maa has no connection with the matter. Guru Maa has blessed us by sharing the Gupta family home for the last 12 years. For some reason the [newspaper] reports insist on calling the house an 'ashram'. We have firm faith in the courts and are certain that the truth will finally prevail.”

See also

Godmen and cult leaders: India <> Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan <> Rampal Singh Jatin @ Rampal, cult leader <> Radhe Guru Maa (Param Shradhey Mamtamai Shri)