The recent passing away of Sathya Sai Baba - a self-proclaimed god and among India’s most recognisable godmen - marks the end of one of the most remarkable personalities of post-independence India. He was, by far, the most well known and popular of India’s godmen and his influence straddled linguistic, regional, religious, class and caste divisions.
His death has also opened up questions about the role of such religious leaders in our social and political life. It also, again, foregrounds the extent to which superstition and irrationality remain pervasive in our society, especially among those who are called “well-educated†and occupy leading positions in public life.