New Delhi: Among the politicians, rights activists, lawyers, social reformers and stars who form the faces of the popular anti-corruption movement, a young, clean-shaven one stands out. He is surrounded by a coterie and his status among seasoned politicians associated with the movement belies his youth.
Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, who has emerged as a mediator in the Lokpal standoff between the government and self-styled Gandhian Anna Hazare's team, is an Indore-based spiritual leader known to the creme de la creme of Maharashtra's political top brass.
Bhaiyyuji has taken centrestage in the Jan Lokpal agitation that has galvanized the entire nation and forced the embattled government on the defensive as Hazare's fast entered the seventh day Monday. The veteran activist vowed to carry on indefinitely unless authorities adopted his version of a bill for setting up a powerful anti-graft watchdog.
But even before his prominent role in the Jan Lokpal dialogue, Maharaj, whose real name is Udaysinh Deshmukh, has been a high profile religious guide to several top Maharashtra politicians.
He has been felicitated in his state by then Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for social work. Shinde has even said the leader as an inspiration to him. He counts politicians Vilasrao Deshmukh, Uddhav Thackeray, Gopinath Munde and RR Patil among his followers.
But who is Bhaiyyuji Maharaj?
The young spiritual guru, dubbed in the media as the 'Maharaja of Mumbai' for his powerbase of followers, is from a humble farming background from Shajapur near Indore, according to media reports. He briefly forayed into modeling for a popular textile and garments brand before taking a brief sabbatical to focus on his goal in life and turning social reformer.
He designs his discourse from life's simple philosophies. The power of a good word, planting saplings and motivational speeches; Bhaiyyu's uncomplicated teachings have had the who's who from the corridors of power drawn to him like a magnet. He is tech-savvy and rides a Tata Sumo.
He once said in a media interview that his teachings are based on concepts rather than on superstition and his job is to help politicians channelize their energies in a positive way. The new age godman guides seasoned political bigwigs on matters of religion, education and faith and is in high demand especially at times of elections.
The Suryodhay Ashram in Indapur of Pune district has reportedly over 10,000 devotees of Bhaiyyu Maharaj.
He, along with Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Umesh Chandra Sarangi, both of whom are known to Hazare, have been roped in by the government to initiate back-room negotiations to end the fast by Hazare.
If initial reactions are any indication, the Maharaj has established the bridge between the government and team Anna and assuaged ruffled feathers. He described his meeting with Hazare as "family talks". He has also undertaken the task of studying both the government and the civil society's drafts of the Lokpal Bill.
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