| Bhaiyyu Maharaj | |
|---|---|
| Born | Uday Singh Deshmukh (1968-04-29)29 April 1968 Shujalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Died | 12 June 2018(2018-06-12) (aged 50) Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Cause of death | Self-inflicted gunshot to head |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Spiritual guru |
Bhaiyyu Maharaj (29 April 1968 – 12 June 2018), born Uday Singh Deshmukh, was a spiritual guru from Indore in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Personal life
Maharaj was born Uday Singh Deshmukh on 29 April 1968 in Shujalpur, Madhya Pradesh. He was born in a family of land owner agriculturists and worked in the past as a professional model.
His first wife Madhavi Deshmukh died in 2015 and they had a daughter Kuhoo Deshmukh . In 2017, he married Ayushi Sharma.
Public life
Although Bhaiyyu was based in Indore, he was a popular leader in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh because of his spiritual and social works. A follower of Hindu deity Dattatreya, he was also called "Yuva Rashtra Sant".
His followers consisted of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Lata Mangeshkar et al. He was also reported to be a consultant to union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh.
During the Anti Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare for a Lokpal or corruption watchdog, he played the role of a mediator for the Congress government in preparing a draft of Lokpal bill, which was acceptable to both the parties.
In April 2018, he was offered Minister of State (MoS) post by BJP led Madhya Pradesh Government along with four more spiritual leaders, after being inducted as members of a committee set up for the conservation of the Narmada river. However, Bhaiyyu declined the offer and mentioned in an interview to have no inclination towards any particular party or community.
In 2018, Maharaj called for Narmada Ghotala Rath Yatra,(Narmada river scam procession), a public agitation with a purpose of exposing the BJP led Madhya Pradesh government's alleged corruption in the Narmada sand mining scams. The agitation was later called off.
Death
On 12 June 2018, Maharaj shot himself in the head at his residence in Indore. He was taken to the Bombay Hospital in Indore where he died due to his injuries. His elder daughter Kuhu, performed the Antyesti (last rites).
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) had said that a case of probable domestic discord has come up but that they will investigate all angles of his death.
The Congress party has demanded a CBI probe into his death.
References
- ^ "Spritual [sic] leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj commits suicide". The Hindu. PTI. 12 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Bhaiyyu Maharaj: From model to godman to mediator". Indian Express. 23 August 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "The Model-Turned-Guru Who Loved His Mercedes, Rolex: 10 Facts On Bhaiyyu Maharaj". NDTV. 12 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Bhaiyyu Maharaj suicide: Won't conclude anything in haste, says police". Economic Times. PTI. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- "भय्यूजी महाराज की अंतिम यात्रा पहुंची मुक्तिधाम, अंतिम संस्कार की तैयारियां प्रारंभ". Dainik Jagran. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ "When Bhaiyyuji Maharaj rejected MoS status saying it 'holds no importance for a saint'". IndiaToday.in. 12 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Self-styled spiritual leader Bhayyu Maharaj kills himself - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- "Bhayyu Maharaj, 4 other religious leaders get MoS status ahead of MP elections bhopal Hindustan Times". hindustantimes.com. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- "Bhaiyyu Maharaj told me he was under pressure". Rediff News. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
- "संत भय्यूजी महाराज ने खुद को गोली मारकर की खुदकुशी - IBC24". IBC24. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- "Bhaiyyu Maharaj's Funeral: Daughter Performs Last Rites". News18. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- "Bhaiyyu Maharaj, In Suicide Note, Said "Stressed Out, Fed Up": Cops". NDTV. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.