Datia: In a scene that has left both political observers and devotees in a state of bewilderment, Sitaram Baba, a prominent local saint, was captured on film repeatedly punching and shoving Sevda MLA Pradeep Agrawal during a religious ceremony.
The incident occurred in the village of Berchha, Datia, amid the serene backdrop of a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha recital.
Agrawal, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had approached the saint to offer a ceremonial garland and seek his blessings. However, the atmosphere of spiritual reverence was abruptly shattered when Sitaram Baba, Mahant of the Nisrol Temple, reportedly entered a state of sudden agitation.
A Punch To The Back
Video footage of the encounter shows the MLA bowing respectfully before the saint. As Agrawal attempted to drape a garland around Sitaram Baba, the monk began raining punches onto the politician’s back before forcefully shoving him away. In a final show of disdain, the Baba tore the garland from his neck and tossed it aside, much to the shock of the assembled crowd.
The motives behind the physical outburst remain a subject of intense local debate. While some spectators suggested that the Baba was expressing a “divine displeasure” regarding local governance or corruption, others — including some of the saint’s followers — insisted that the punches were actually a “unique form of blessing” intended to ward off negative energy.
Political Silence
Despite the public nature of the altercation, Agrawal has maintained a stoic silence, neither filing a formal complaint nor publicly condemning the saint. In the highly traditional pockets of Madhya Pradesh, where religious figures hold significant sway over the electorate, challenging a Sadhu can be a risky political gambit.
As the video continues to clock millions of views across social media platforms, the “Baba versus Politician” saga serves as a vivid reminder of the unpredictable intersection of faith and power in rural India. Whether it was an act of holy rage or a violent benediction, Pradeep Agrawal will likely be more cautious the next time he seeks a “blessing”.