New Delhi: Objecting to the worship of Shirdi Sai Baba by the Hindus, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati said Sai Baba was someone who worshipped ‘Allah’ and ate meat and a man like him can never be a Hindu god.

He also said Sai Baba of Shirdi tried to project himself as a a Hindu god, a fact that is not acceptable to him and his followers.

Earlier, Swami Swaroopanand had said Sai Baba of Shirdi was a Muslim and Hindus should not worship him. He had also claimed that Sai Baba was declared a Hindu avatar by those who have been trying to weaken the Hindu religion.

All of it irked hundreds and thousands of Sai Baba’s followers who are now gunning for the Shankaracharya. Swami Swaroopanand’s effigies were burnt and there have been allegations that his stance will promote enmity between the communities.

Interestingly, Swami Swaroopanand is known to be a harsh critic of the BJP, PM Narendra Modi and the Ram temple movement.

He is perceived to be close to the Congress. His jibes come at a time when the BJP is in power.

But Swaroopanand rubbished claims that his objections to Sai Baba is at the behest of the Congress and said that he is not apolitical.

Meanwhile, Swaroopanand’s anti-Sai Baba stance has been criticised by many.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had said Swaroopanand’s criticism of Sai Baba was unnecessary.

Two days ago, RSS leader Indresh Kumar said in Varanasi that the Shankaracharya shouldn’t interfere into the religious affairs of others.

The story of 60 years of Sai Babas life at Shirdi is replete with miracles, including instances of healing. However, among the hundreds of miracles one that is well- known is the one where he lights diyas with water instead of oil. He took samadhi on October 15, 1918.

Today, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust that runs Sai Babas place of worship at Shirdi is mammoth organisation, employing more than 2,200 permanent employees and 4,000 contract employees.

About 38,000 people come for daily worship at Shirdi, while on holidays and special occasions, it is close to a lakh.