Desk Correspondent , Mumbai – Self proclaimed godman and astrologer Ashok Kharat was arrested in Maharashtra after two new cases were filed against him. With this report the sum total of cases have reached upto 10. It also has exposed the many connection between politicians, bureaucrats and spiritual leaders. Viral photographs of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his wife Lata Shinde and former school education minister Deepak Kesarkar visiting Kharat’s temple in Nashik circulated widely through social media, intiating a political and bureacratic imbalance. The arrest also forced Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, to resign after a photo went viral showing her holding an umbrella for the godman.

Kharat, built influence through his temple (based in Nashik) and rituals promising wealth, success and stability to high-profile devotees. Self proclaimed gurus like him cultivate mass bases via philanthropy and supposed-spiritual practices, turning their ashrams into hubs visited by politicians and officials seeking astrological advice before elections or major decisions. Bureaucrats and politicians reportedly consult them to broker deals during political instability. 

Rationalist Hamid Dabholkar of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti criticised the trend. “They help create a cover for the benami transactions of powerful people… This results in a quid pro quo situation,” he said. “Politics is a cut-throat career and political leaders don’t believe in human solutions to their problems. They prefer self-proclaimed godmen to provide an antidote to the uncertainty.” This perticular incident highlights how faith, superstition and power all are melded togather in our politics.