In the Name of 'Yeshu': Punjab's Viral Pastor & the Rise of PR-driven 'Godmen'

A dangerous cocktail of fear, faith, societal conditioning, and political patronage, writes John J Kennedy.

The godmen of today are just astrologers with better PR teams.

(Photo: Kamran Akhter/ The Quint)

India has always been a land where spirituality and faith are woven into the very fabric of life. It is a place where gods walk among men, and men, in turn, can become gods.

However, in recent years, this sacred relationship between faith and the faithful has been twisted into something far more sinister. Enter the modern-day godman: a charismatic figure who promises miracles, preys on fear, and builds vast empires on the backs of the vulnerable.

Take Bajinder Singh, for instance. The Punjab-based pastor viral on social media, who is now accused in a sexual harassment case, claims to cure diseases like AIDS and cancer, and despite facing serious allegations—ranging from rape to financial fraud—he has built a global following with 260 churches and millions of YouTube subscribers.

Now, a 22-year-old woman has accused him of inappropriate touching and mental torture which started when she was 17.

A History Sheeter

Singh’s rise to fame reads like the plot of a true-crime film. Born in September 1982 into a Jat family in Yamunanagar, Haryana, his early years were spent away from the limelight. His life took a significant turn when he was imprisoned in connection with a murder case in 2008. It was during this time behind bars that Singh encountered Christianity through a pastor, an encounter that would change the course of his life. 

It was during his stint in prison that he started reading the Bible daily and eventually converted to Christianity, marking the beginning of his transformation from an ordinary man to a self-proclaimed spiritual healer. After his release, Singh founded his own ministry in 2012, the Church of Glory and Wisdom, which quickly gained traction for its Sunday prayer meetings and claims of "miracle healing." His success was fueled by his charismatic persona and the testimonials of those who claimed to have been healed by his "anointing oil", propelling him into the public eye.

Singh's ministry grew steadily and expanded rapidly in just a few years. His popularity soared on social media, where he amassed millions of followers. Videos of his healing sessions, including one where he supposedly cured a speech-impaired girl, went viral, further cementing his reputation as a “healer baba" and a modern-day prophet.

However, his journey was not without controversy. Singh faced legal troubles, including allegations of rape and involvement in superstitious practices, which were scrutinised by authorities and organisations like the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. Despite these complaints and serious allegations, his church continued to attract thousands to its day-long congregations, where testimonies of miraculous cures were a central feature.

Murder isn't the only crime Singh has previously been accused of.

In 2018, he was arrested from Zirakpur in connection with a rape case in Chandigarh. His ministry has also been targeted by the Income Tax department. In 2023, IT officials raided his church and properties in Mohali and Jalandhar.

Depsite this, the pastor managed to gain massive popularity, even garnering celebrity patronage from the likes of Chunky Pandey and Aditya Pancholi. He has, of course, denied all allegations and continues to enjoy support from his followers. As per reports, organisations of Christian as well as Valmiki and Mazhabi Sikh religious groups have been mulling over a 'Bandh' in Punjab against the decision to book the pastor.

How does Singh or other godmen (there are plenty, by the way) like him in India not just survive, but thrive? The answer lies in a dangerous cocktail of fear, faith, societal conditioning, and political patronage. 

The Business of Fear: How Godmen Exploit Vulnerability

Fear is a primal emotion, and godmen like Singh know precisely how to exploit it. Fear of illness, fear of death, fear of divine punishment—these are universal vulnerabilities.

When modern medicine fails, or life feels out of control, people turn to anyone who offers hope. Singh’s promises of miraculous cures tap into this desperation.

But it is not just about physical health. Fear of social ostracisation or spiritual damnation keeps followers loyal, even when evidence of fraud surfaces.  

RK Narayan’s short story An Astrologer’s Day published in 1947, perfectly captures how a little fear and a dash of psychological manipulation can make people believe in the unbelievable. The astrologer in the story uses nothing more than common sense and a keen understanding of human psychology to convince his clients of his divine insight.

The godmen of today are just astrologers with better PR teams. They use fear to create an illusion of control, offering followers a way to cope with life’s uncertainties.

In his 1941 classic work Escape from Freedom, psychologist Erich Fromm argued that fear often drives individuals to surrender their autonomy to authoritarian figures. In the context of godmen, this surrender is not just to a person but to an ideology or belief system that promises salvation. The godman becomes a symbolic father figure, offering protection and guidance in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. 

Faith, Blind Trust, and the Power of Cognitive Dissonance

Then there is faith. In India, faith is not just personal—it is communal. It is tied to identity, belonging, and purpose. When a guru claims a special connection to the divine, followers are asked to surrender doubt and logic.

This blind trust is not accidental; it results from centuries of cultural conditioning. Gurus are seen as infallible, and questioning them feels like questioning one’s own beliefs. This is where cognitive dissonance comes in.

When allegations against a godman surface, followers face a psychological dilemma: accept the truth, risk losing their faith, or reject the evidence to preserve their beliefs. More often than not, they choose the latter.

It is easier to rationalise away misconduct than to confront the uncomfortable truth that their faith has been exploited. No wonder Karl Marx famously called religion the “opiate of the masses,” and in this context, his words ring eerily true. Faith, when manipulated, can numb rational thought and scientific inquiry, keeping people docile and distracted while those in power—both spiritual and political—reap the benefits. 

The Role of Politics and Media in Enabling Godmen

Let us not forget the role of politics and media in this mess. Godmen like Singh do not operate in a vacuum. They are often backed by political figures who see them as a means to secure votes and influence. In return, these godmen enjoy a level of protection that shields them from legal consequences.

It is a symbiotic relationship: politicians get a loyal voter base, and godmen get a free pass to continue their exploitative practices. Is it any surprise, therefore, that Singh’s global empire includes churches in Canada, the US, the UK, and Dubai?

His social media presence is formidable, with millions of followers on YouTube. Even though his track record is far from clean—ranging from rape allegations to charges of financial fraud—his popularity shows no sign of waning. This is partly because of the political patronage he enjoys, which allows him to operate with impunity.  

And then there is the media. In the age of social media, godmen have gone global. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram allow them to market themselves to millions, often with the help of celebrity endorsements. A few pictures with popular film stars or cricketers, and suddenly, their claims seem legitimate.

Max Weber’s concept of “charismatic authority” explains this well—these figures manufacture charisma through media savvy and strategic alliances, making their influence almost unshakable. 

Breaking the Cycle: Education, Awareness, and Legal Reform

So, how do we break this cycle? Is it possible? It is perhaps not easy, but, as always, it must start with education and awareness. Unfortunately, today, people are not even allowed to question, think critically, or seek evidence-based solutions.

Sadly, when questions are asked, they are branded anti-religious. Only when scientific and media literacy are promoted can individuals and society be empowered to resist manipulation.

Schools must mandatorily incorporate lessons on critical thinking and scientific inquiry. Public awareness campaigns must highlight the dangers of blind faith and the importance of skepticism.

Unfortunately, in the recent past, the scientific community has not done enough to assert its data-based and evidence-based thinking or to counter superstition based on blind faith. Ultimately, our goal must be to create a society where individuals are not just passive receivers of information but active participants in their spiritual journeys.  

Legal reform is yet another crucial factor in containing this national malady. While India prides itself on being a secular state, the lack of oversight in religious matters has allowed fraudulent godmen to flourish. Stricter regulations and accountability measures are needed to ensure that religious leaders cannot exploit their followers with impunity.

Any fraudulent practices or criminal behaviour should be swiftly addressed, and the legal system should be more proactive in dealing with these cases. The fact that figures like Singh have been able to evade justice for years despite clear evidence of their wrongdoings is a glaring failure of the system.  

However, here is the tricky part: any effort to regulate religion must be handled sensitively. India is a deeply religious country, and genuine practitioners should not feel alienated or attacked.

The goal is not to dismantle faith but to protect it from those exploiting it for personal gain. What we must remember is that the rise of godmen like Bajinder Singh is a reflection of a larger societal issue: the tension between faith and reason. Fear and ignorance cloud judgment, making people easy targets for manipulation.

The real challenge lies in empowering individuals to break free from this cycle—to seek truth and enlightenment from within rather than relying on figures who profit from their vulnerability. It is high time we recognise the fine line between faith and exploitation. Until we do, the cycle of blind belief and manipulation will continue, leaving millions trapped in a system that preys on their deepest fears and highest hopes. 

(The author is a Professor and Dean at Christ University, Bengaluru. This is an opinion piece. The views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)