Click to play videoNew Delhi: One of the interesting aspects about Sathya Sai Baba is the number of high officials and ministers who are his devotees. The list of his followers extends from politicians to ministers including former Prime Minister P V Narasimha rao, jurists P N Bhagwati, Chandrababu Naidu, Former Air chiefs and President A P J Abdul Kalam who were all present at the celebrations of Baba’s 81st birthday.
"Personalities like him create hope in the minds ordinary persons. This is something that we should respect," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said.
Former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi says Sai Baba has showered him with spiritual security. "He has been doing lots of social work. All the money that comes to him from the devotees goes for the welfare of the people," Joshi said.
Dalit leader Ramdas Athawle who isn't really a Manuwadi doesn't mind Sai Baba's presence in the Hindu pantheon. "He is respected by people and his fame is growing by each passing year. Believing him is not about religion but about spiritual faith," he said.
In Parliament, the divine blessings of Sathya Sai are certainly wafting over many political heads. Ministers, president and justices of the Supreme Court have all beaten the track to get Baba’s divine blessings on his birthday.
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