Sathya Sai Baba - Criticism and Controversy

Criticism and Controversy

Accusations leveled against Sathya Sai Baba by his critics have included everything from sexual abuse, money laundering, fraud in the performance of service projects, to murder. In 2004, in the UK and internationally, the BBC and other national networks aired a documentary titled The Secret Swami, as part of its series "The World Uncovered". One central theme of the BBC documentary was Alaya Rahm's sexual abuse allegations against Sathya Sai Baba. The documentary interviewed him together with Mark Roche, who had devoted 25 years of his life since 1969 to the movement and alleged abuse by Sai Baba. Another documentary, Seduced By Sai Baba, carried interviews of abuse allegations. It was produced by Denmark's national television and radio broadcast company, Danmarks Radio (DR).

The show also presented allegations from Indian skeptic Basava Premanand, who campaigned against Sai Baba for over 30 years. He claimed Sai Baba was "not just a fraud, but a dangerous sexual abuser". According to him, rumours about sexual abuse had been circulating for years, but due to the popularity of the internet, the tide of claims against Sai Baba " a groundswell". Though his claims spanned 30 years, he stated that his stories were similar, a common practice being the rubbing of genitals with oil by the spiritual leader. Among his claims were that one ex-devotee claimed Sai Baba "put the oil on his hands, told me to drop my pants and rubbed my genitals with the oil". Premanand theorized that many Indian boys were abused but were never heard from because they too afraid to speak out, alleging Sai Baba was well-connected with the elite and powerful of India.

The Vancouver Sun in 2001 reported that Sathya Sai Baba told his adherents not to browse the Internet due to allegations rapidly circulating on various Internet websites and in a few newspapers. In a 2000 public discourse, Sathya Sai Baba said, "These teachings (the Vedas) are highly sacred. Today people are ready to believe all that they see on television and internet but do not repose their faith in the Vedic declarations. Internet is like a waste paper basket. Follow the 'innernet,' not the internet."

In 2002 the Parliament of the United Kingdom discussed the possible danger to male children of British families intending to visit the ashram of Sathya Sai Baba in case of individual audiences with the guru.