Since the Vedic age, the bond between guru (teacher) and shishya (student) has always been described as pure and special. It’s the power of this love and respect that marks the celebration of Guru Purnima – festival dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers.
But then there are some gurus who are not quite worthy of your bhakti.
On Guru Purnima, The Quint brings to you some of them.
Jai Guru!
Asaram Bapu – Controversial Guru
The self-proclaimed Godman is the controversial guru of India. He’s got himself entangled in multiple sinister activities – rape, attempt to murder, and land grabbing – did we forget his rather abusive vocabulary?
Nothing like a ‘bapu’.
Baba Ramdev – Business Guru
Baba Ramdev is not just a yoga guru but a very shrewd businessman. A Haryanvi with a Baniya’s brain, Ramdev played with his skill and built a magnificent Rs 2000 crore FMCG empire and named it as Patanjali Ayurved. Ramdev is also known for his miraculous cures – from homosexuality to corruption, he has a cure for everything.
It (homosexuality) can be treated like any other congenital defect. Such tendencies can be treated by yoga, pranayama and other meditation techniques.
— Baba Ramdev
And we had to mention his progressive worldview:
Sex education in schools need to be replaced by yoga education. The government should stop polluting the minds of innocent young children with sex education.
— Baba Ramdev
Need we say more?
Bikram Choudhury – Sex Guru
The swaggering yoga guru has been caught with his underwear down when six women claimed he raped and sexually assaulted them. The founder of Bikram Yoga claimed the charges were false and had the audacity to say in public,
Sometimes students, they commit suicide. Lots of students of mine, they commit suicide because I will not have sex with them.
— Bikram Choudhury
Arindam Chaudhuri –Management Guru
Once upon a time, Arindam Chaudhuri inspired students by saying, Dare To Think Beyond The IIM by creating the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM). Unfortunately, for this guru, it’s time to think beyond IIPM. Chaudhuri has been accused by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) of misleading and fooling his shishyas. Now the ponytailed Chaudhuri, has decided to move on and close its 18 campuses because it was never recognised by the UGC and AICTE.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh – Rockstar Guru
According to His Holiness’ website, the Sant Ji is an author, inventor, scientist, an athlete, writer, multi-lingual orator, scholar, musician, theologian, physician, philosopher, philanthropist, peace activist and the ultimate humanitarian. Wait, there’s more. The Dera chief is also notoriously known for his criminal activities like rape, sexual harassment, and murder. These are just his criminal records; wait till you read his property records. The Sant has around 700 acres of agricultural land in Sirsa, a 175- bed hospital in Rajasthan, gas stations, market complexes. Why would a Sant a need gas station and market complexes? Your guess is as good as ours.
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