JOIN USMore self-styled godmen, including absconding 'spiritual guru' Virendra Dev Dixit, found mention in the list of ''fake'' babas released by the All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP), an apex body of seers in the country, on Friday.
The list of fake babas, that contained names of three self-proclaimed godmen, was the second released within a span of four months.
The AIAP had released its first list containing names of 14 fake babas in September this year. The first list had the names of Baba Ram Rahim, rape accused Asaram and Radhey Maa.
Besides Dixit, the Parishad also dubbed Sachhidananda Sarswati and Trikal Bhavanta as fake babas.
Releasing the list in Allahabad after a meeting of the representatives of all the 13 'akharas', AIAP president Mahant Narendra Giri called upon people to boycott all these babas.
Giri said that these fake babas had ''amassed'' huge wealth and living ''lavishly''. ''Their conduct and behaviour have tarnished the image of Hindu religion," he added.
''We will make sure that such babas are not able to take part in the forthcoming Kumbh also...the state governments must also ensure that such babas are not accorded any facilities at the Kumbh and other religious gatherings,'' he added.
'Mahatma' prefix vetoed
He warned these babas against prefixing 'Mahatma' before their names. The Mahant sought the support of the people to expose fake babas.
He also said that the AIAP would keep an eye on the conduct and lifestyle of the saints and babas. '' Genuine saints do not seek worldly comfort,'' he remarked.
''The list will be sent to the chief ministers of the states concerned to initiate action against them,'' Giri said.