Bhaiyyu Maharaj passed away in Indore on Tuesday, 12 June. The self-styled spiritual leader, who was born Uday Singh Deshmukh, shot himself, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Indore HC Mishra told ANI.
"He shot himself on his right temple in a room bolted from inside. His body was brought out by breaking the door of the room and taken to hospital, where he was declared 'brought dead'," a police officer told PTI. The cause of the suicide will be revealed after a detailed probe, the officer said.
The officer said a suicide note was found in Bhaiyyu’s room and that the family members of the deceased had identified his writing. The note will be verified, the officer said.
Bhaiyyu was rushed to Indore’s Bombay Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A large number of his supporters gathered in front of the hospital upon hearing the news of his demise.
Four hours before his death, he posted pictures of the water conservation projects undertaken under his leadership.
Supporters were seen mourning his death as his mortal remains were being taken to his native village in Shivneri, Maharashtra. According to India Today, his daughter, Kuhu, will perform the last rites.
In April, Bhaiyyu was offered a Minister of State post by the Shivraj Singh Chauhan-led Madhya Pradesh government. However, he had refused the offer, according to The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Digvijay Singh alleged that Bhaiyyu had been offered the post to “shut his mouth” over the “illegal mining by in the Narmada by the Shivraj Chauhan government.”
He was worried about illegal mining in Narmada by the Shivraj government and was offered the post of minister to shut his mouth. He rejected the offer and had told me about it on call.Digvijay SIngh to ANI
In 2016, he declared his retirement from spirituality – calling the space too “commercialised” for his taste.
PM Modi Among ‘Disciples’
The 50-year-old model-turned-spiritual guru enjoyed a fan following among politicians, many of them from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. PM Narendra Modi was among the public figures who had visited him at his Indore-based ashram, PTI reports Other well-known personalities who visited the ashram include Vilasrao Deshmukh, Pratibha Patil, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
Bhaiyyu also played the role of a mediator when the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare was at its peak.
He married Dr Ayushi Sharma, a native of Shivpuri, in Indore in 2017, a year after announcing his intention to take 'sanyas' from public life. On his wedding day, a woman, who claimed to be an actress, accused him of "cheating" on her and termed him a "trickster", PTI reports. His first wife Madhavi died in 2015.
Netas Pay Tribute
Political leaders across party lines expressed shock over Bhaiyyu Maharaj’s death. "Learnt about the death of spiritual guru Shri Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. I had personal relationship with him. His untimely death is saddening. My humble tributes," Union minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded the work Bhaiyyu did for the deprived in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
"Bhaiyyu Maharaj's work towards land reforms, water conservation, farmers (welfare) and education of children will always be remembered. Tributes to him! "Am part of mourning of his big family and followers," the chief minister said on Twitter.
Hailing Bhaiyyu Maharaj for carrying forward the legacy of spirituality in Maharashtra, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the news of his death was "shocking and unbelievable". "The untimely death of Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, who was ever smiling, enthusiastic and one giving energy, is saddening,’ the Congress leader said on Twitter.
His party colleague and former state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said Bhaiyyu worked to help the common people. "A lot of political people used to meet him. He was a spiritual person, who motivated people to do good. He visited Maharashtra frequently and met a lot of people and was also involved in social work here," Chavan said in his condolence message.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted saying that the country lost a person who was a confluence of culture, knowledge and selfless service.
On the other hand, Congress’ Manak Agarwal accused the BJP of putting pressure on Bhayyu Maharaj. He told ANI, “Madhya Pradesh government had put pressure on him to accept privileges and support the government, which he refused to do. He was under a lot of mental pressure. CBI probe should be done.”
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