Open letter to the ambassador of the Russian federation in India Mr Alexander M. Kadakin

Dear Ambassador,

Having read your letter of condolences concerning the death of an Indian guru, Sathya Sai Baba on the web site of the Russian embassy in India (text of the letter), I am feeling surprised and puzzled. No doubt the death of Sathya Sai Baba was a significant event for many people in India but that is their personal religious relationships with this guru. I cannot see a reason why you should express your condolences on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to the person who has no political status and significance in India.

What is much more important is the fact that Sathya Sai Baba is extremely controversial figure in India with the very serious allegations put forward against him by his former followers. These allegations include the murder of 6 young people in Sathya Sai Baba's rooms in his ashram in 1993 which have not been investigated and numerous allegations of sexual abuse even with regard to minors. These allegations are quite well substantiated and that was demonstrated in the BBC documentary "Secret Swami" that was broadcasted all over the world in 2004. In addition, allegation of sexual abuse against Sathya Sai Baba were the reason why UNESCO and Flinders University withdrew from participation in a joint educational conference in 2000 which was organized by Sathya Sai organisation in Sathya Sai Baba's ashram Prashanthi Nilayam. I am terribly sorry if this information was not known to you and your assistants could not inform you about it in due time. Unfortunately, your letter is being used by the followers of Sathya Sai Baba and the leaders of Sathya Sai organisation to promote his image that makes the task of justice restoration is much more difficult.

For the sake of justice I am appealing to you to analyse available information and facts about Sathya Sai Baba to adjust your position with regard to this religious leader. If your letter is not an official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Russian Federation on this issue, I earnestly ask you to declare this publicly.

Sincerely yours,

Sergey Badaev
(former follower of Sathya Sai Baba)