Who Is Bhole Baba, UP Godman Whose Satsang Led To Stampede That Killed 121

Suraj Pal Singh, known to his followers as Bhole Baba, was born in Bahadur Nagari village in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district to a farmer.

A day after over 121 people were killed in a stampede in UP's Hathras, questions are being raised over the satsang organised by self-styled guru Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari whose congregation the victims belonged to.

Suraj Pal Singh, known to his followers as Bhole Baba, was born in Bahadur Nagari village in Uttar Pradesh's Etah district to a farmer. He joined UP police and was a head constable working with the Intelligence Unit for over 18 years. However, his followers say he has also claimed that he worked for the Intelligence Bureau.

In 1999, he took voluntary retirement from the service, changed his name to Narayan Saakar Hari and began holding satsangs. He told his devotees he felt an inclination towards spirituality and world peace and he resigned to begin his spiritual journey.