Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa, who has been accused of hurting religious sentiments, threatening others, obscenity and other offences, is once again in the news for all wrong reasons.
In a picture doing rounds on social media, Sukhwinder Kaur alias Radhe Maa, can be seen sitting on the Station House Officer’s chiar in Delhi’s GTB Nagar police station. Standing next to her is the SHO Sanjay Sharma himself with folded hands and a red stole hanging around his neck.
SHO Sharma was immediately sent off duty for allegedly providing special treatment to Radhe Maa and a probe has been ordered to investigate the matter.
Here are some interesting facts about Radhe Maa, the controversial godwoman:
1. Born on April 4, 1965 in Dorangala village of Gurdaspur, Radhe Maa’s original name is Sukhvinder Kaur. The 52-year-old left school after Class 4 and got married to Mohan Singh at the age of 17. She has two kids, one of which is believed to be presently planning his acting debut.
2. At the age of 23, she became a disciple of Mahant Ram Deen Das of 1008 Paramhans Bagh Dera Mukerian, in Hoshiarpur district. Das gave her the title of Radhe Maa, meaning ‘Mother Radha’.
3. Her style of blessing devotees is considered obscene as Radhe Maa allows them to lift and carry her. An obscenity complaint filed against her says she allows devotees to kiss her.
4. Online videos show Radhe Maa, who has studied till Class 10, dancing to Bollywood songs. She is also pictured in western clothes, notably a red mini-skirt.
5. Her first disciple was a young woman from Mukerian city of Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district. She soon became a close associate of Radhe Maa and now the congregation knows her as Chhoti Maa. Her another close associate is Talli Baba, who dedicated his life to her service since the age of 12-13.
6. In September, days after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was sent to jail for raping two disciples, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Punjab Police to file FIR against Radhe Maa.
7. Earlier, on April 28, the Bombay High Court had asked the police to record the statement of a city resident who had alleged that Radhe Maa had instigated her in-laws to harass her for dowry.
8. Another complaint to the police accuses the "godwoman" of driving a poor family of seven in Gujarat to suicide after failing to keep her promises to vastly improve their lot.
9. Two years back, a TV actress Dolly Bindra had also filed a criminal case against Radhe Maa for sexual exploitation. Bindra, who is known for her participation in reality show Big Boss, filed a complaint with the police alleging that Radhe Maa and her supporters sexually assaulted her.
10.Her name has also figured in the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad's list of "fake" religious heads.
