Sanatan Prabhat > Post Type > News > National News > Saying “beggars of the country come to eat in Shirdi” is a direct insult to the millions of devotees of Sai Baba : Minister Shirsat

Saying “beggars of the country come to eat in Shirdi” is a direct insult to the millions of devotees of Sai Baba : Minister Shirsat

A controversy erupts over a statement made by former MP Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil

Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat left) Former MP Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil (right)

Shirdi, Maharashtra – Former MP Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil’s controversial statement claiming that “the entire country comes to Shirdi to eat free food, and beggars from all over Maharashtra have gathered here” has been criticized as an insult to Sai devotees. Shiv Sena MLA and Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat strongly condemned the remarks, highlighting the global significance of Shirdi as a spiritual hub. “People from all over the world come to Shirdi with faith and donate crores of rupees. If the Sai Sansthan undertakes a good initiative, such as food donation, what is wrong with that, offering food is a noble deed,” he stated.

Sujay Vikhe-Patil should apologize to Sai devotees – Akshay Maharaj Bhosale

Akshay Maharaj Bhosale, State President of the Shiv Sena Dharmaveer Spiritual Sena, has demanded an apology from former MP Dr. Sujay Vikhe-Patil for his controversial remarks about Shirdi and Sai devotees.

“If there are any problems related to education in Shirdi, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will surely address them. However, it is unfortunate to demand the cessation of free prasad distribution to devotees and to refer to them as ‘beggars.’ Such comments are deeply disrespectful,” Bhosale said.He further added, “In the past, even Sai Baba himself did not receive as much as a pail of oil in Shirdi. Now, to ensure such sentiments of neglect do not arise among people again, Sujay Vikhe-Patil must offer a timely apology to Sai devotees.”

The Motivation Behind Food Donation is Noble; Using the Word ‘Beggar’ is Inappropriate – Dr Neelam Gorhe

Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Council, Dr Neelam Gorhe, has criticized the use of the term ‘beggar’ in the context of food donation, stating that it is akin to an insult.“The word ‘beggar’ carries a negative connotation and should not be used. If someone requests a seat in Parliament, would we call them a beggar? If people seek cooperation or support in various ways, does that make them beggars? Such terminology is both inappropriate and disrespectful,” she remarked while addressing reporters in Kolhapur. Dr Gorhe further stated, “Food donation stems from a place of nobility and selflessness. Associating it with alms or charity diminishes its spiritual significance. People who fail to understand the difference between food donation and alms giving lack cultural and religious sensitivity.”

What did Sujay Vikhe-Patil say ?

“Instead of giving free food, spend the money on the education of boys and girls,” remarked Sujay Vikhe-Patil, sparking controversy regarding the use of funds at religious institutions like Shirdi’s Sai Baba Temple.

Former BJP MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil has sparked controversy with his recent remarks on the Sai Baba Temple’s practice of providing free food to devotees. Addressing the matter, Vikhe-Patil stated:

“We provide free food in the Sai temple’s Prasadalaya, but we also charge ₹25 from everyone for food. The money saved from this practice should be spent on the education of boys and girls. The entire country comes here to eat free food, and beggars from all over Maharashtra have gathered here. This is not right. The institute should reflect on its priorities. While it has constructed a ₹298 crore complex, it has failed to provide quality education.”

Vikhe-Patil further criticized the focus on infrastructure over educational improvement, saying:
“Expenditure is being made on the building of the educational complex, but it is not being directed towards improving the quality of education. Quality education can only be ensured if money is invested wisely. Therefore, I urge the institute to stop free food in the Sai temple. If needed, we will even agitate to bring about this change.”This statement has been met with widespread opposition.

Editorial Perspectives

  • Providing prasad or free food to devotees is an integral part of Hindu tradition, not limited to Sai Baba’s temple but observed in countless Hindu temples across India. It is seen as an act of service and devotion by temple trustees and committees, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
  • When considering Shirdi, the temple receives donations amounting to crores of rupees. There is nothing wrong in utilizing these funds to provide free prasad as it aligns with the expectations of devotees, who donate in faith that their contributions will be used for religious and devotional purposes. Diverting such funds for non-religious activities like education or social welfare is not expected.

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