Hundreds of followers of self-styled godman ‘Sarathi Baba’ gathered at a private programme in Barahata village under Dasarathpur block in Jajpur district, Odisha, on Wednesday, defying previous court orders restricting him from holding congregations or delivering sermons. The event, organised by a local individual, drew devotees from Jajpur and surrounding districts.
At the venue, Sarathi’s ‘charan paduka’ (symbolic footwear) was placed for worship, his photograph adorned a decorated stage, and followers performed kirtans, devotional songs, and dances. Disciples reiterated their faith, continuing to regard him as a divine figure.
Authorities confirmed that no official permission was granted for the gathering. The programme also saw free distribution of homeopathy medicines, raising concerns about compliance with regulations, such as the presence of certified medical personnel and proper authorisation. Despite these issues, no action had been taken by authorities at the time of reporting.
