Everyone who stays at or even visits a Sathya Sai Baba ashram must tread most cautiously both literally and figuratively. The excreta of rubbish-scrounging pi-dogs and troops of monkeys are hardly a problem compared to the conspiracies of silence and secrecy which are enforced on all who enter there so as to keep both ordinary facts and criminal injustices covered-up. All devotees soon get used to the kind of 'double-accounting' whereby two versions of the facts exist, one close to reality for insiders who cannot avoid knowing something - and another that conceals the true facts. The ashram authorities hide all potentially destructive information, or - when it begins to leak out - hush it up by any means they can. Not infrequently the only solution they find is to send away all visitors from the ashram on very short notice.

However, the staff at Sai ashrams usually offered a modicum of neutral, fact-based guidance to visitors which, if followed to the letter, would go some way in protecting them from unfortunate experiences while staying there. They warn that one should look carefully after one's personal property at all times, for thieves cannot be kept out of the ashram. They also repeat Sathya Sai Baba's advice not go outside to Puttaparti village to shop or socialise. Had they told the details of some previous incidents, visitors would surely take this advice much more seriously than they mostly do. The number of murders of foreign devotees both in the village and inside the ashram are know to few, but were they not assiduously buried they would surely cause major doubts about the supposed 'divine protection' Sai Baba guarantees his devotees.

Here are just a few small aspects of and examples showing to what lengths graded disinformation and the silence of censorship is taken (i.e. some call it 'positive publicity', others mendacious propaganda):-

1) There is extreme caution among all officials and VIPs - and most residents - in telling anything which might show the ashram or anything to do with it to be less than perfect. There are so-called 'lecturers' who are devotees of standing within the ashram who have been tested as to their blind faith and so chosen by Sai Baba to promote him. They take great care not to say things which they know or consider might displease Sathya Sai Baba. My good friend, V.K. Narasimhan often wanted me to lecture for students. I was chary of this, as I had a critical view of the learn-by-heart and useless traditional educational methods in force at Sai colleges. Narasimhan was himself very disappointed at these failings and said not one student could ask an independent quest or answer other than what they had learned verbatim. He would only speak about this to his most trusted friends, for anything else would have drastically changed his status with Sai Baba, on whom he had become dependent in numerous ways. At one of his lectures just after the three Americans had been killed in the Museum accident in November, 1990, he cornered me and asked me to speak I had known Michael Oliver, one of the victims of the horrendous accident well.VKN had already held forth about death and loss - but people were clearly most confused as to what it was all about, because he had studiously avoided mentioning that the deaths were due to an accident, the collapse of a huge dome in Sathya Sai Baba's much vaunted 'Eternal Spiritual Museum'. It would have been absurd had I not explained how the accident had occurred the day before. Most of the audience were very surprised. Afterwards, VKN told me that I should not have been so direct because "Baba does not like anything of that sort to be talked about". This explained his reticence, while at the same time, he would speak freely to me in private of what he was unable to publish.

2) Not a single word of critical questioning will be found in countless thousands of official and semi-official Sai Baba publications or web pages and discussion groups (all carefully moderated by self-censoring blind believers) nor in any of the thousands of pages of hagiography by Sai Baba's favourite authors (present company excluded - indeed, I was demonised after I wrote my very critical revelatory book 'End of the Dream'). Sathya Sai devotees are busy trying to manipulate Wikipedia with adulatory articles and to saturate the main Sathya Sai Baba page with nothing but positive biographical material and outright propaganda. Some take great pains to try to eliminate all critical materials as far as they can by repeated infringements of the Wikipedia rules. They have had numerous setbacks, but administrators there seem to have given up and left the page to its fate, which will be that it will never present a fair, objectively sourced, overall view of Sathya Sai Baba and his various deeds and misdeeds.

3) The rounding up of the hundreds of stray dogs which plague the ashrams by entrapping them in nets, howling with fear, and transporting them to deserted areas occurs at intervals at Sai ashrams. Any visitor who has the insolence to complain to the office about it is blackballed, even get their cameras smashed by 'public relations officials' (as did a Norwegian lady, Mrs. Felicia Fotland some years ago). So much for Prashanthi "public relations" - these officials are known by all who cross their paths, whether wittingly or not, as being very narrow-minded and imperious opinionated small 'gauleiters' with too much power over visitors and residents.

4) Censorship is so rigorously applied that exclusion from the ashrams for ever is a frequent event, and some are taken into police custody. Beatings of unrepentant devotees have occurred, even in the darshan lines! In trying to contain the situation and keep everyone ignorant of the true state of affairs, a draconian regime is enforced at times of crisis, sending all foreign visitors out with less than a days' notice and without any explanation. This has occurred at least a dozen times in the last two decades, several times due to separate incidents of killings of visiting devotees, not least from abroad.

5) There is no recourse with any problems devotees experience due to lacking receipts, financial irregularities or other matters connected with donations. This has been particularly so in the case of the Sai Books and Publications Trust. I know five persons who were involved in transactions with Mr. Suri, the previous Convener, who have told in detail from personal experience, not least by the senior Indian journalist V.K. Narasimhan- for two decades the editor of Sai Baba's monthly journal. Others who were swindled of large sums include Mr. Taylor (former servitor at the PN sweet shop), Mr. Al Drucker, and Mr. and Mrs. Rita Bruce. The Convener was found by investigating journalists during the 1993 incident with an unregistered sum of Rs. 2 lakhs (i.e. 200,000) in his apartment, taken from the ashram's publishing trust. See here. Sai Baba then spoke out in a July 1993 discourse in defense of all his officials as being beyond any suspicion of misusing funds! Months later he quietly dismissed several Central Trust and ashram officials from their positions, including at long last also Mr. Suri.

To censure those who pose normal questions or who refuse to be put off with a threatening hiss or an outright avoidance is hardly the way to communicate ideals of truth, love and non-violence. Sathya Sai Baba sets the example for his officials by using angry grimaces, hisses and constant avoidances of answering reasonable or well-intentioned questions he dislikes. All who are not confirmed 'true believing' devotees will be warned off by such behaviour and it calls for courage to question for evidence of wrongdoing and crimes in that proto-totalitarian atmosphere. Of course, any community that fails to allow for healthy feedback will eventually run into difficulties of credibility and in fulfilling its aims, as has occurred with Sathya Sai Baba and his organization where somewhat enlightened persons are involved, especially foreigners from more genuine democracies who are not cowed so easily. Interestingly, with his experience of the authoritarian Indian relations between the young and the elderly, Sathya Sai Baba had doubtless never reckoned that so many young men would testify against him in public.

The extreme secrecy of persons around Sai Baba about what goes on, what he does when not visible at darshan etc. is part of this, and it may perhaps sometimes be a result of Sai Baba's using paranormal abilities to influence the minds of people - even manipulate their sensory perceptions. There are many kinds of what is often called 'hypnosis', extremely strong and fast suggestion inducing false perceptions and much else. (The classic exponent and exposer of many such amazing techniques is the Englishman Derren Brown, already more famous in the West than Sai Baba. Nonetheless, it is also remarkable how so many matters - like plain-clothes surveillance and spying on ashramites sometimes wherever they go, secret suppliers of trinkets later 'materialized' in interviews and so forth - that Sai Baba and his minions evidently thought were safely covered-up have surfaced through unexpected channels and how the evidence that backs this up begins to accumulate from here and there. One must hope that "the truth will out", but this can never be guaranteed as any mature person knows full well (despite Sai Baba always preaching the opposite). Above all, he does not wish the dark and deceitful side of himself and his ashrams so as to deter visitors or put off any good trusting people by letting negative things be known about him or anything connected to him. Therefore he rules those around him with an iron hand (if often hidden from most in a velvet glove).

Young men are never told (in advance) by Sai Baba - or any of his VIPs in the know - that in the private interview room he regularly carries out the oiling of male genitals, French kissing and other more intimate sexual advances on boys and young males. However, when these alleged facts became a subject of much discussion in the ashram in 2000 (and on the veranda among his VIPs, some of whom acknowledged the fact both in public and many more privately), he issued a stark warning that he would banish anyone who mentioned such things there.

The inexpressible 'Truth' of which Sathya Sai Baba ever talks about - which he says is both eternal and ungraspable by any human mind (excluding his supposedly Divine mind) is of such a transcendent and metaphysical nature that he admits it cannot be expressed. Such 'truth' which cannot be expressed should be consigned to silence (as Wittgenstein opined)! Any 'Truth' that constantly flies in the face of facts actually serves to hide the whole truth and not lest that of the truth of the great chain being. The supposed 'truth' Sai Baba preaches is not of this world, he insists, which is merely a fleeting phenomenon, a passing cloud! We can certainly say it is of no value or any help at all to any genuine seeker, for has the nature of a mirage which draws the thirst spiritual seeker on into a more and more barren desert. Many end up longing for 'release' from the consequent emptiness of their own lives (i.e. even death).

As Kramer and Alstead stated it in 'The Guru Papers': "The scientific method is rejected in favour of revelation, belief and otherworldly projections and hopes, and one is trained to construct and maintain a view of reality which fits the mould set by the guru. This is self-conditioning to a truth which one accepts as unchallengeable. This stagnant model of truth lies at the root of most authoritarianism."

Claims of omniscience and knowing every details about everything abound in Sathya Sai Baba's own published discourses and in the 'positive propaganda machine', to which all his institutions are geared up. The result is that rumours fly all the faster and the one incredible positive story and fanciful invention after the other becomes as if factual to many devotees just because they are left to flourish, are never refuted by Sai Baba or his staff... except in the most embarrassing or unavoidable extreme circumstances. Sai Baba actually condones and even loves the rumour mill, as long as it is about his miraculous acts and omniscient and total divine power. Left alone untruth festers. Well-investigated, undeniable 'negative' facts need to be brought into the light of day.

Observant persons find official versions of events full of convenient omissions and editing out of doubtful and untoward statements which were nevertheless recorded in the verbatim tapes. Much of what is written make it hard to tell what comes from Sai Baba and what is merely an editor or reporter's interpretation. Many of the leaders and officials who wish to impose their own views or manipulate people for their personal reasons take advantage of lack of clarity to impose their own advice. In such circumstances, distinguishing with precision the exact nuances of Sai Baba's doctrines and other utterances is sometime difficult. Add to this the confusion that has arisen about his 'teaching' and works from the many distorted interpretations made by devotees who wish to get kudos through praising him beyond all reason and other hagiographic accounts that diverge in a wide variety of ways from the authenticated (though edited) discourse. How to interpret his living message, which he says is his life, is yet more difficult when his daily activities are so carefully cloaked and what he actually does is hard to distinguish from what occurs close to him as a result of what is said to be his orders or wishes. Above all, there is the much more challenging problem of reconciling an increasingly large number of Sai Baba's words with one another and further, with his known his actions, as demonstrated widely on these postings.

Sai Baba has warned followers not to enter into arguments with others about spiritual matters or about his nature and mission. This also works to clamp-down on intelligent discussion, the exchange of correct information - besides being a way of controlling it and keeping facts under wraps. He always minimises the importance of facts as 'worldly matters' , and of scientific or scholarly investigation as mere passing phenomena. He emphasizes personal self-investigation and self-improvement, but this is done mainly on an inner level through self-examination and - more importantly - through repeating his name and visualising him, prayer and inner worship! Educated people throughout the world today rightly often expect open debate with a free exchange of opinions and frank critical evaluations. No one can live in a complete social vacuum solely with one's own thoughts... not even a hermit, not Sai Baba either, for all carry with them the culture and the handed-down ideas and memories of others that nurtured them.

It is not exactly pleasant to mention most unpleasant facts, but since the full truth about Sathya Sai Baba is almost certain to come out, be evaluated properly, and eventually spread wherever his name is heard, some upstanding people have to contribute to this before all can be swept firmly under the carpet of time. Former devotees who have given many years of their lives in selfless service - who were accepted as leaders, teachers and authors in Sai Baba's institutions have taken on this task as a bounden public duty of conscience. We have come to know what we once never believed could be possible, and we therefore investigated most thoroughly before realising the truth of many allegations and concealed facts about Sathya Sai Baba. I am reminded of Sai Baba's words when inaugurating the Venkatagiri Girls' High School many years ago, "Speak the truth always, for falsehood is the result of cowardice" (Sathyam, Sivam, Sundaram Vol. I. p.79). His present mendacity and despicable hypocrisy in covering up his misdeeds belies his words as mere lip service. However many efforts are made to cover up significant facts, they will not succeed in the long run, especially if or when the Sai Baba mission really sometimes should become known about very widely. Penetrating investigations are already being made about many hitherto concealed matters and those who are beginning to speak out find that they have a forum and an exposé movement to support them. If, as Sai Baba insists, the truth will ultimately raise Sai Baba's public reputation, why does he not correct the one-sided propaganda of his followers, dispel the countless 'positive' rumours and excessive miracle stories that circulate through the Sai movement and instead offer a balanced presentation of facts?

Sai Baba has pointed out and has complained mightily many times how it is - despite some selfless achievements by his followers - that many problems of egoism, selfishness and greed still beset his movement. He has made it seem that these errors dominate in many parts of his set-up, including the Organization (which he has criticised roundly), his college teachers (some of whom he has publicly castigated in extreme terms) and not least among the 'Seva Dal', those who are supposed to be servants of others but who often use their badges and privileges to look after their own interests first. Ashrams led by a guru usually function best when they are not too large, but that around Sai Baba has grown to huge proportions and he has long since delegated most of its daily running to others. All reports from organisation conferences, and also from interviews Sai Baba has given to his office-bearers, indicate that Sai Baba gives very few definite answers on specifics of organisational activity, confining himself mainly to general directives, usually aphorisms concerning the kind of 'spiritual life' he recommends. This is also his well-known indirect or elliptical style in discourses and most interviews. Therefore, much is left to persons appointed by Sai Baba, who seem to have a free hand to ignore or overrule when it suits them. If it is found out that they criticise him or his directives, express any serious doubts or leak sensitive information, however, they are expelled without further ado.

A proportion of visitors to the ashrams quite evidently have rewarding experiences there and are impressed by the para-psychological powers of Sai Baba, which are admittedly strong, even though he without doubt uses fraud and deception as well to supplement them, especially in more recent years. Yet I also know from many conversations and letters that some good people and keen devotees do suffer unduly at the ashrams, sometimes very badly - especially mentally and spiritually - due to the ignorance, antagonism and injustice of certain of the staff - and often from other devotees. Believing as some do that Sai Baba is always the ever-present doer of all deeds, the sufferers imagine that they are being punished or corrected for some unknown fault by Sai Baba through his staff or in other mystical ways! All this misunderstanding about almost anyone with a badge or an office being 'Sai Baba's instrument' makes the manipulation of others easier, while Sathya Sai baba - supposedly all-knowing and protecting his devotees - stands by and says nothing. Many turn to intricate excuses of a fanciful nature so as to absolve their Lord and master of any responsibility... "it is his play", "it is for our own good", "he has to teach through difficult lessons", "no one can understand his mystery" and so on. Pathetic rationalizations, when one has seen and heard enough of them and seen the results of believing them, as I did.

Just as we always appreciate and remember helpfulness, openness and concern, we are all free to make our own observations and note when fine words about truthfulness, compassion and service are not followed up in actual behaviour. Reluctance to speak straight has led an unknown number of people - both Indian and foreign followers - into serious problems and even death, as discussed previously. The activities that permit (and cover up) this cannot be said exactly to have the stamp of Divine protection, compassion or service! Sai Baba's words, "Why fear when I am here?" are shown to an empty vanity. Even though Sai Baba is there, I know how much some of them still fear... and most of them fear him most of all! One should fear sinning, but surely not anyone purporting to be divine? All important staff at Prashanti Nilayam and the Sathya Sai Central Trust are under duress to inform nothing that can harm Sai Baba's image, even to non-devotee relatives and dependents of persons killed.

Censorship is so rigorously applied that exclusion from the ashrams for ever is a frequent event, and some are taken into police custody. Beatings of unrepentant devotees have occurred, even in the darshan lines! In trying to contain the situation and keep everyone ignorant of the true state of affairs, a draconian regime is enforced at times of crisis, sending all foreign visitors out with less than a days' notice and without any explanation. This has occurred at least a dozen times in the last two decades, several times due to separate incidents of killings of visiting devotees, not least from abroad.

The same applies to problems devotees experience due to financial irregularities connected with donations. Not least also to money problems with the Sai Books and Publications Trust, concerning which I know five reliable persons involved in transactions with Mr. Suri, the previous Convener, who have told in detail from personal experience in these affairs, not least by the senior Indian journalist V.K. Narasimhan, for two decades the editor of Sai Baba's monthly journal. The Convener was found by investigating journalists during the 1993 incident with an unregistered sum of Rs. 2 lakhs (i.e. 200,000) in his apartment, taken from the ashram's publishing trust. Sai Baba then spoke out in a July 1993 discourse in defense of all his officials as being beyond any suspicion of misusing funds! Months later he quietly dismissed several Central Trust and ashram officials from their positions, including at long last also Mr. Suri.

The extreme secrecy of persons around Sai Baba about what goes on, what he does when not visible at darshan etc. is part of this, and it may sometimes be a result of Sai Baba's using paranormal abilities to influence the minds of people - even manipulate their sensory perceptions. Nonetheless, it is also remarkable how so many matters that Sai Baba and his minions evidently thought were safely covered-up have surfaced through unexpected channels and how the evidence that backs this up begins to accumulate from here and there. One must at least agree (also with Sai Baba) that "the truth will out"!


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