'IIT Baba' claims assault in Noida TV studio, video viral on social media

'IIT Baba' alias Abhay Singh, the self-declared monk who appeared from nowhere to become an overnight media sensation during the recent Maha Kumbh, has claimed that he was assaulted during the filming of a news programme of a private channel in Noida on Friday.

In his complaint to the police, he stated that some saffron-clad people came into the newsroom, misbehaved with him, and beat him with sticks. A purported video of the incident which has gone viral on social media does seem to show an altercation taking place.

'IIT Baba', so named because he claims to be an IIT graduate, sat outside the police outpost in Noida's Sector 126. However, he later withdrew the protest following a discussion with police officials.

Bhupendra Singh, SHO at the outpost, said the 'Baba' was convinced and agreed to not take the complaint further.

As the controversy over the incident grows, there have been heated debates on social media, where the majority of people are condemning the attack and demanding justice.

Abhay Singh Yagraj, who claimed to have studied Aerospace Engineering at IIT Bombay, became a household name overnight at the Maha Kumbh, also picking up the sobriquet 'Engineer Baba'. He says he turned his life toward peace by choosing the path of spirituality. His popularity on social media increased rapidly and he participated in many religious events.

Singh, a resident of Haryana, describes himself as an alumnus of IIT Bombay on his Instagram handle, though there are several handles using his 'IIT Baba' nickname, making it difficult to authenticate which one actually belongs to him.

He has also claimed in various media interviews that he is an aerospace engineer and his lifestyle does not match the traditional spiritual lifestyle. In an interview given to the media, 'IIT Baba' had said after completing his studies, he participated in campus placement and got a job with a salary package worth 'lakhs of rupees'. But after some time, he left his job and took to the path of sanyas (monkhood), handing out spiritual promises and calling himself a prophet. However, many of his predictions proved wrong in Maha Kumbh, owing to which he also became embroiled in controversies.

Interestingly, several social media users have accused the TV channel of inviting the 'Baba' to the show and then 'staging' the assault for TRPs, though no evidence has been found to support the theory. However, it does seem odd that a group of people would find their way to the studio at the exact time that the show was going on air. And the entire incident would be filmed and a video clip released in the public domain.

Why the saffron ecosystem is upset with the 'Baba' is also unclear as of now, considering his professed support for the 'Sanatan' way of life.

With PTI inputs