Who is 'Bhole Baba', self-styled godman whose Hathras satsang witnessed a stampede?

A tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district resulted in the deaths of over 80 people and left many others injured. The incident occurred at the conclusion of a satsang conducted by Narayan Sakaar Hari, also known as Sakaar Vishwa Hari or Bhole Baba.

Upon learning of the stampede, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to promptly reach the site and provide relief efforts.

Who is Bhole Baba?

Bhole Baba hails from Bahadur village in the Patiali tehsil of Etah district. He claims to be a former employee of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

He allegedly left his government job 26 years ago to begin delivering religious sermons. Today, he has millions of followers across India, including in western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Notably, unlike many modern religious figures, Bhole Baba stays away from social media and does not have any official accounts on any platform. His followers claim that his influence is substantial at the grassroots level.

Bhole Baba's programs are organised every Tuesday in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, drawing thousands of attendees. During these gatherings, volunteers ensure the necessary arrangements for devotees, including food and drinks.

Bhole Baba gained attention for continuing to draw large crowds despite restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.