'Bhole Baba' says, Hathras stampede caused by anti-social elements and goons

LUCKNOW: In his first reaction to the stampede, Narayan Hari Bhole Baba on Wednesday said the tragedy was "the handiwork of anti-social elements and goons." The baba, in a statement issued through his lawyer, also said he had left the venue "before the stampede". Expressing grief and condolences over the death of his followers, he wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Locals, however, claimed the baba "fled the scene" on Tuesday afternoon when people were dying.He is now believed to be at his lavish ashram in Mainpuri along with some of his followers. The police have been trying to establish contact with him but, according to officials, he has "refused to meet anyone".
Police have cordoned off the area where and fire brigade vehicles have been stationed nearby. "We are prepared to handle any situation," an officer said.
The main road, the open ground outside the ashram and the nearby settlements, are under surveillance. DSP Sunil Kumar Singh said, "Security has been tightened. It is not clear whether the baba is inside the ashram or not."
The baba (real name) Surajpal Singh hails from Bahadur Nagar village in Patiyali sub-division of Kasganj. He was employed as a constable in UP police and was later promoted to the rank of head constable. He took voluntary retirement in 1990 after almost 10 years in service.
Singh started delivering sermons and discourses, and came to be known as Bhole Baba and his wife, Matashree. The couple has no children. After 1997, his "spiritual journey" gained momentum, and people started attending his discourses, seeking solutions to their problems. The baba claimed he could cure ailments just by touching people.
Enticed by his "miracles", the number of devotees grew. He established his first ashram at his ancestral village of Bahadur Nagar. Subsequently, more ashrams came up in north India. The Mainpuri ashram was built a decade ago. "His followers throng this place whether the baba is present or not. They take tap water (amrit for devotees) ," said a local.