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San Francisco, California (KP) – After learning of the planned arrival of “Baba” Maan Sinh in California, the sangat here decided to confront the baba regarding the serious allegations leveled against him over the last several years. The Baba was set to arrive at San Francisco from London Heathrow at 2 P.M. on Sunday, July 2nd via Virgin Atlantic flight 019.

Upon arrival at the airport, Panthic Weekly staff noted that many of the Baba’s associates had gathered at the gates, carrying garlands of flowers and bouquets. Similarly, the local sangat had also gathered with signs and were prepared to greet the Baba with a garland of shoes, considered to be highly insulting.

The protest signs displayed such messages as “Bayee-Maan Baba,” “Bheki, Kaami Saadh (Showoff pervert ‘saint’),” “Baba Maan = Rapist Thief, Child Molestor, Hypocrite,” and “Thug! GO HOME!”

As the two parties converged at the expected gate of Baba’s arrival, the Baba’s associates began to throw a fit at the presence of the protesting sangat carrying their signs. The Baba’s followers spoke rudely and unsuccessfully attempted to barricade the protestors from greeting the Baba. The Baba's followers initially attempted to thwart the Sangat’s protest with physical and verbal abuse, but were overwhelmed by the Panthic sevadaars, and could not succeed.

Surprisingly, the most vocal supporters of the Baba were women themselves, even though the vast majority of his victims are women. The protestors said that this was obviously a publicity stunt by his followers, and indicated they were unwilling to address the serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse on helpless women by the Baba.

The situation became tenser as the Baba’s associates became increasingly aggressive towards Sangat members and media staff due to the presence of cameras documenting the event. After some time, the Baba’s followers began to mislead police officials asking that the safety of the Baba be ensured. However, the Sangat remained calm and peaceful as over a dozen police officers converged at the gate. After quite some time had passed, the Baba still had not appeared, while the sangat waited to question him regarding his actions.

Some of the allegations, leveled against the Baba include horrific injustices such as rape, molestation, fraud, money laundering, drug abuse and self-appointed gurudom. Panthic Weekly has received evidence including signed affidavits of victims, audio recordings of former close associates, and even letters from Sikh Societies and Gurudwaras requesting the United States government to deny his Visa. According to a tipster, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security, is currently looking into these matters.

One affidavit from a young lady in Toronto, tells the story of how she was cornered in a bathroom by the Baba, “He placed his hand on my genitals and asked me to grab him. I pulled my hand back instantly and refused. [I] asked him, ‘What are you doing? This is wrong.’ He replied ‘I am testing your faith and I am extremely happy that you passed the test.’ He then hugged me tightly, I felt extremely sick to the stomach. He then opened the bathroom door and asked me to leave. This incident broke my faith. I was confused disgusted and scared. I could not confide in anyone, not even my husband.”

Before this incident, she was a devout follower of the Baba along with her husband.

Maan Baba’s former personal assistant, in a written statement, provides some insight, “This hypocrite never got married, he manipulates the sangat’s sisters and daughters and violates their honor.”

Another affidavit from a woman in India speaks of her horrific rape at the hands of this con-man, “ One day…Sant Baba Maan Singh called me to his resting room and he tried to seduce me. When I refused him strongly, he raped me, I…strongly opposed.”

After his reprehensible act, he became concerned that she may tell somebody, “He got scared…Then he offered me a lot of temptations. He said he would get my sisters married abroad. He would financially support my family, like he would deposit Rs. 10 Lakhs (1 Million) in my name and make me the principal of Jallandhar academy.”

These are just two examples of many such documented incidents. There are many others who have yet to come forward out of fear of retribution from the Baba's armed henchmen.

Derisive Mocking of Sikh Religious Values

The former assistant , Sahib Singh narrated a number of incidents in which this “great holy man” mocked, dishonored and disregarded the Sikh religion and its core values and beliefs.

After the Baba took a bath, a “close devotee, who used to call him Krishan Bhagwan (The Lord Krishna), was asked to wring out his wet soiled Kacherra (undershorts) and make tea from the resulting water. They were told to come and drink the “Amrit” (sacred nectar/baptismal water)” made from his Kacherra.

This incident is not the only example of his complete disregard for Sikh principles and ceremonies. The assistant narrated another example when “a man with a severe sinus headache asked the Baba for relief.”

The Baba replied, “‘if you want the pain to go away, listen to my one request.’ The hypocrite then took him to his bathroom and said, ‘drink the water from the toilet and this 'Amrit' will cure you.’”

He has also been accused worldwide of sending “Amrit” in bottles for do-it-yourself amrit sanchars (baptismal ceremonies), he also conducts amrit sanchars that do not comply with Panthic norms.

The assistant asks, “Should this person call himself a sant? Does he have a right to sit on stage and preach to others?”