Penal Guru commits suicide

A PENAL GURU ( a Hindu spiritual leader) shot himself in the mouth on Thursday night, minutes after worshippers chased away a man with whom they believed the guru was allegedly having a homosexual relationship.

Naziph Ali, 40, also known by his Hindu name, Kalicharan Dass, was conducting a “Satsang” at his temple — a Sai Sadhana Shanti Temple — when chaos broke out amongst a group of worshippers who demanded that the man, who was singing, leave the premises. According to police reports, around 7.45 pm, the guru asked the temple’s caretaker Joseph Gokool, to make a cup of coffee for him. Ali then went inside his house which adjoins the temple. When the caretarker returned with the coffee, he discovered the door locked and alerted the guru’s wife.

They called out to Ali but there was no answer. When they looked through the glass door they saw the guru standing in the drawing room with a gun to his head.  As the caretaker broke down the door, they heard a loud explosion.  Ali was found sprawled out on the ground with blood oozing from his mouth and eyes. He died on the spot. District Medical Officer, Dr Mahabir, viewed the body and ordered its removal to the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital where a post mortem was expected to be performed yesterday. Police discovered a spent shell near the body and seized a licensed pistol and a 16 gauge shotgun.

Newsday understands that a month ago the guru began seeing a psychiatrist after his alleged male lover was banned from attending the temple. The ban followed rumours that the guru and the man were having a  relationship. A devotee claimed it was the guru who invited the man to attend Thursday night’s Satsang. She said when worshippers saw the man, they demanded that he leave immediately and they chased him away. During the commotion, she said, she heard crashing sounds coming from inside the temple. When Newsday visited the guru’s home yesterday, his wife, Kumari, 39, and his two children, Ryan 16 and Aaron, 9, were surrounded by friends and members of the temple. However, relatives declined to comment on the tragedy.

Still expressing shock and disbelief about his guru’s suicide, the temple’s pundit, Basdeo Ramjit, recalled that worshippers were singing to the rhythm of the tassa drums and giving praises. He recalled that the guru got up and asked the caretaker Joseph Gokool to make some coffee for him and went inside his house. He said minutes after, he heard a loud explosion and  “bawling and crying”. When questioned about rumours about the guru’s alleged homosexual relationship, Pundit Ramjit stated: “He (guru) was not an ordinary person but he was not gay. He was one of the straightest persons I know.”

However Ramjit admitted; “Sometimes when the power takes him he can be like a woman. The guru is not a normal person.” He admitted that Ali was seeing a doctor but could not say why he was being treated. He explained that several years ago, Ali, who was then a muslim, went to India where he met Sai Baba who healed his illness. Basdeo said Sai Baba told the guru he was giving him a “gift”, which he had to use to help, heal and teach people. While in India, he was given the name Kalicharan Dass. Ramjit said he did not know why the guru possessed a gun.

On many occasions, Ramjit stated, devotees could not tell whether they were speaking with the Guru or with his “gift”. “Most of the time we don’t know who he is”, he added. He said he does not know whether the temple would continue in operation. “Everybody praying and asking for strength. We not sure what to do since the guru gone,” he said. Newsday understands that Ali, a former teacher of the Penal Government Primary School, had for 15 years, been running the temple which worships the Hindu Goddess of Death, Kali. The guru had about 150 followers who attended the temple on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Attempts to reach the guru’s alleged male friend proved futile yesterday. Visiting the scene was a party of policemen of the Barrackpore Police Station led by Insp Laquar, including Sgt Ali, and Cpl Jankienanan. Investigations are continuing.