The multi-crore empire of godman Jai Gurudev is said to be the reason behind the violence in Mathura.
The multi-crore empire of godman Jai Gurudev is said to be the reason behind the violence in Mathura.
Jai Gurudev, who passed away in 2012, was based in Mathura and is said to have properties worth over Rs 12,000 crores, apart from 250 luxury cars — all supposedly received from his devotees. He has a palatial ashram in Mathura and properties in several cities.
Originally named Tulsidas Yadav, the godman had setup the Doordarshi Party that also contested elections in Uttar Pradesh. He wielded a considerable clout in the rural interiors of the state and his followers were known by their unique dress style — kurtas made of jute.
After Jai Gurudev’s death, his empire was inherited by his driver Pankaj Yadav as per a will left behind by him.
Ram Vraksh Yadav, also a staunch disciple of the godman, was apparently irked by this and formed a splinter group. Ram Vraksh and his supporters occupied Jawahar Bagh under the pseudo name of Swadheen Bharat Vidhik Satyagrahis and on the pretext of holding a satyagrah. If reports are to be believed, Ram Vraksh was determined to wrest the empire from Pankaj Yadav and was building up resources for the “final battle”.
Both the groups apparently enjoyed patronage from political leaders in Uttar Pradesh.
