INDORE, INDIA, June 17, 2018 (Times of India): Opposing the concept of “grihasth sant”, or householder saints (ie, married men who claim to be sadhus), the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad has said that they do not accord “saint” status to married persons. The ABAP is an apex body of 13 major akhadas, or religious orders, of Hindu saints and seers. The statement from the ABAP comes amidst a debate on saints following the alleged suicide of spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj on June 12. Bhaiyyu Maharaj, who was reverentially called “rashtra sant” by his followers, committed suicide allegedly due to stress from a family dispute, a preliminary probe has revealed.
Mahant Narendra Giri, Akhada Parishad president, told PTI that it did not recognize the concept of grihasth sant, adding that such people were not considered seers till about 50 years ago. “We are grieved at the death of Bhaiyyu Maharaj. He was a respected person. But we clearly believe that, in religious and spiritual fields, married persons should not be called saints. We do not give any recognition to the concept of grihasth sant,” he said. “Personalities from religious and spiritual fields should decide whether they want sainthood or they want to be part of a family. They should not ride on two boats at the same time, otherwise they will naturally be affected by family discord,” Giri said.