Anantapur, July 16, 2013: In what seems to be the first-ever display of groupism in support of a member of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, supporters of trust member and nephew of Baba -- R.J. Ratnakar -- staged a dharna opposite the Puttaparthy police station against the investigation into a few allegations levelled against him by another relative of Sathya Sai Baba.

Mr. Ganapathy Raju, cousin by relation to Sathya Sai Baba, has been complaining about the alleged illegal activities of Mr. Ratnakar for quite some time now, frequently writing to the all key personalities, including the Prime Minister and the President besides the State police chief.

One of the allegations made by him pertaining to Mr. Ratnakar, allegedly using a fake email ID, caught the attention of the State police which directed the district police to start an inquiry into the allegations.

A group of people went in a rally up to the town police station and raised slogans demanding that “false allegations” not be made against the trust or its members, which could eventually lead to confusion among the devotees.

Slogans were also raised specifically against Mr. Ganapathy Raju and an effigy of him was burnt.

Meanwhile, a case was registered against Mr. Ganapathy Raju under the SC/ST Atrocities Act for abusing a dalit besides injuring him by attacking him on Sunday evening.

On the other hand, while Mr. Ratnakar denied the allegations against him. Ananta Raman of the Sathya Sai Central Trust told The Hindu that the allegations levelled by Mr. Ganapathy Raju against Mr. Ratnakar had no basis.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 16, 2013.