Maharashtra BJP, Congress leaders criticise removal of Sai Baba idols from Varanasi temples

Mumbai: Cutting across party lines, strong reactions emerged in Maharashtra against removal of idols of Sai Baba from temples in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. 

Shree Satchidanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj, affectionately known as Sai Baba of Shirdi or Sai Baba, is revered across Maharashtra and India and even across the world for his teaching - ‘sabka malik ek’.

The main temple of Sai Baba and his samadhi is situated in Shirdi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra which is run by the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust. People of all castes, creeds and religions visit Shirdi to offer prayers round the year. 

Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule have reacted to the development noting that what is happening was not proper. 

“Sai Baba is above caste, creed and religion…he is a symbol of secularism…what his happening is not proper,” said Thorat, who hails from Ahmednagar district.

“Sai Baba is revered by one and all…I am a Sai bhakt…I have been going to the Sai temple for over three decades…what has happened is bad…it should not happen,” said Bawankule.