1993 murders in Prashanthi Nilayam

On June 6, 1993, four armed individuals intruded into Prashanthi Nilayam, Sathya Sai Baba's main ashram.[1][2] They were stopped by Sai Baba's attendants who were killed by the armed assailants.[2] Sai Baba was unharmed during the incident.[1][2]

Mr. Indula Shah, chief functionary of the Sathya Sai Central Trust was quoted in the press as stating "the matter is purely internal and we do not wish to have any law enforcement agency investigating into it."[3]

Intruder incident analysis

The incident was widely published in the Indian press. In the BBC documentary it was stated that some police officers were arrested but were never charged and that the case was eventually dropped."[1] The police version claimed that the assailants charged at the police with daggers and were all shot dead. A Central Bureau of Investigation report stated that the official police report was riddled with lies and inconsistencies.[1] V.P.B. Nair (Former Secretary to the Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh) also opined that the official police report contained inconsistencies.[1]

Sathya Sai Baba, in the Guru Purnima Discourse on July 3, 1993, stated that jealousy and hatred were the reasons for the incident:

"The one who is afflicted with the disease of jealousy is all perversion. The name and repute of Sai has spread all over the world. In the world today, in the present situation, people started with full jealousy either to control it, to diminish it by some way or take measures to put a stop to it. This kind of propaganda will not increase or decrease Swami's glory. The main reason for Swami's glory is His sacredness, not your publicity and your teaching. From head to foot, Swami is selfless with sacred love. This sacred love is unmovable by anybody. Swami does not hate anyone. Swami does no harm to anyone. Why should they harm Swami? There is no necessity for it. This is because of jealousy and hatred. Devotees should not suffer because of these things. Truly speaking, the devotee with that feeling will never waver."[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 BBC Documentary. Secret Swami
  2. 1 2 3 Ruhela, Satya Pal (1997), Sri Sathya Sai Baba and the Press, 1972-1996, M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 978-81-7533-041-2, pp. 106–107
  3. ↑ The Hindu, 10-6-1993
  4. ↑ Guru Purnima Discourse, July 3, 1993, Keep Truth as Your Aim: Available online
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