top of page

By:

Dr. Abhilash Dawre

19 March 2025 at 5:18:41 pm

Gold, luxury cars, lavish life

‘Pami Guru’ wows followers with MPs and police at darbar   Kalyan: Following the high-profile Ashok Kharat case in Nashik, the emergence of the ‘Pami Guru’ scandal in Kalyan has sent shockwaves across the state. Allegations of blind faith, financial exploitation, and potential political-police collusion have intensified public concern.   Viral videos circulating on social media show the self-styled transgender spiritual leader, known as ‘Pami Guru,’ flaunting a luxurious lifestyle. Footage...

Gold, luxury cars, lavish life

‘Pami Guru’ wows followers with MPs and police at darbar   Kalyan: Following the high-profile Ashok Kharat case in Nashik, the emergence of the ‘Pami Guru’ scandal in Kalyan has sent shockwaves across the state. Allegations of blind faith, financial exploitation, and potential political-police collusion have intensified public concern.   Viral videos circulating on social media show the self-styled transgender spiritual leader, known as ‘Pami Guru,’ flaunting a luxurious lifestyle. Footage displays the guru adorned with heavy gold jewelry, showcasing palatial homes and a fleet of expensive cars, including seven Fortuners and four Thars, claimed to be personally owned. This ostentatious display is believed to be a calculated attempt to impress and influence followers.   Adding to the controversy is the “token system” for personal visits. According to information shared by the guru, meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays, with 200 tokens distributed on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively. This suggests that at least 400 people visit the site weekly. Critics argue that this system indicates a well-structured “business” under the guise of spiritual guidance, rather than mere devotion.   Visitors reportedly seek help for highly sensitive personal issues such as infertility, employment challenges, and family disputes. Accusations have emerged that these individuals are being misled and financially exploited under the pretext of “miraculous solutions.”   Political Dimension The scandal has also drawn a political dimension. A viral video shows Bhivandi MP Suresh Mhatre, also known as ‘Balya Mama,’ meeting the guru, raising questions about indirect political backing. Given the involvement of political figures in the Nashik case, speculation is growing over potential influences behind ‘Pami Guru.’   Serious questions have been raised regarding the role of local police. Some viral clips show police officers, including traffic officials, visiting the guru and even presenting personal issues while in uniform. In one shocking video, a traffic police officer from Vasai is seen placing his uniform belt and shoulder insignia aside during a prayer ritual, with visible cash notes, raising concerns about the integrity of the force.   Despite the gravity of the situation, no concrete action has been reported, prompting local outrage and demands for immediate investigation. Citizens are questioning whether authorities are unaware, neglecting their duty, or acting under external pressure. The lack of formal complaints has further fueled speculation about fear or suppression of public voices.   Maharashtra’s strict anti-superstition laws exist to prevent such exploitation, yet the continued operation of this large-scale system raises questions about enforcement gaps. The ‘Pami Guru’ case highlights the fine line between faith and fraud particularly when devotion is monetised with “token numbers,” turning belief into business.

New Order

The wheel of Indian cricket turns with deliberate inevitability. 25-year-old Shubman Gill, fresh from his splendid helming in the long-form Test format, has now been appointed India’s one-day international (ODI) captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. The decision, taken jointly by Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, and Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, suggests a long-term plan designed to prepare India for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.


The announcement came ahead of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia and marks a clear pivot towards youth and continuity. Gill is now India’s all-format leader in waiting.


Behind the decision lies a quiet revolution. The team of Gambhir and Agarkar - both strong-minded, occasionally combustible, but deeply purposeful - has introduced what one former BCCI official called an ‘Aussie culture’ to Indian cricket. This places the team above the cult of individuals. The days when the national side revolved around its twin stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are numbered. The selectors’ message is that India’s future belongs to a new breed, one schooled less in seniority than in sustained form, fitness and leadership potential for 2027.


While 37-year-old Rohit Sharma led the Indian side to the Champions Trophy win and came agonisingly close to World Cup glory, he has long been out of form. While Sharma’s disappointment is evident at the decision, the selectors are not in the business of nostalgia. Likewise, even if Kohli may survive a little longer, he must sense the direction of travel.


The philosophy of Agarkar and Gambhir reflects a long-overdue pragmatic shift from personality-driven cricket to a more institutional model. Much like Australia in the early 2000s, India is seeking to embed a culture where leadership is a process, not a pedestal. By investing in Gill, the board hopes to craft a player fluent in all formats, attuned to global rhythms, and capable of inspiring a new generation with the 2027 World Cup as a horizon.


Gill represents a different archetype from his predecessors. Polished, composed and technically refined, his rise has been steady rather than sensational. His performance during India’s recent tour of England was nothing short of historic. In the five-match Test series, he amassed 754 runs, making him the highest run-scorer of the series and the first Indian to surpass 700 runs in a Test series in England.


The move to make Gill as ODI captain reflects an awareness that the game’s future lies in balance and adaptability. With the calendar crammed by franchise cricket and bilateral series losing lustre, maintaining a motivated team has become harder than ever. In this shifting ecosystem, grooming a young, all-format captain like Gill is a necessary investment in India’s 2027 ambitions.


India’s cricketing past has often been defined by its reverence for experience. By prioritising long-term planning over fan sentiment, the Gambhir–Agarkar duo has shown rare courage in a landscape often dominated by celebrity.

Comments

bottom of page