VRINDAVAN: Despite denial from Virat Kohli’s team regarding claims that the Indian cricketer was paid to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan, Dinesh Falahari, the President of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, has reiterated his allegations against the star batter.
Dinesh Falahari claimed that when spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj was still a relatively unknown saint, a PR company from Maharashtra and a prominent property group from Rajasthan approached him with the aim of taking his message to a wider audience.
According to Dinesh Falahari, the group believed that Premanand Maharaj’s teachings and spiritual discourses had the potential to reach millions and considered him a knowledgeable and genuine saint. Dinesh Falahari further alleged that, as part of its promotional efforts, the group brought Indian cricketer Virat Kohli to meet Premanand Maharaj. He claimed that around Rs 5 crore was spent on the exercise.
He also alleged that the group later got involved in a dispute with Premanand Maharaj over certain matters. Dinesh Falahari said he did not intend to speak against either Virat Kohli or Premanand Maharaj, adding that he respects both.
#WATCH | Dinesh Falahari, the President of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, says, “When Premanand Maharaj was an ordinary seer, a PR company from Maharashtra had approached along with a Rajasthan property group. All of them had told Maharaj ji that they wanted to make him popular across the world because everyone liked his sermons. Maharaj ji had said that he was ready as long as there was no disturbance in our bhajans. They had assured that their won’t be a disturbance. So, for Premanand Maharaj, they hired Virat Kohli for Rs 5 Crores. He did everything for Maharaj ji. When Virat Kohli came for darshan, Maharaj ji’s popularity grew a thousand times. He became popular across the world. Maharaj ji too felt good. A few days back, Maharaj ji and they had differences. We too intervened as to why they are disturbing Maharaj ji. They said that they brought Virat Kohli onboard but now Maharaj ji is paying attention to some other party…On the pretext of their service, they encroached on Govt land and indulged in wrong activities. Maharaj ji even reprimanded them. But they didn’t budge. When Virat Kohli came for the first time, he too money but he felt that he has committed a sin. So, when he came the second time, he gave back a large sum of money to Maharaj ji. Even today, Virat Kohli provides for food for all ‘saadhak’ residing with Maharaj ji. Virat Kohli is a good man. His wife too is now a follower of Radha Rani. They came as businessmen but they are now followers of Radha Rani…”
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“Premanand Maharaj was a good saint earlier and remains a good saint today. He has guided crores of Hindus through his discourses”, Falahari Maharaj said, while maintaining that he stands by his allegations and is willing to cooperate with any investigating agency.
“When Virat Kohli came to meet Maharaj ji for the first time, he accepted the money, but later felt that he had committed a mistake or a sin. When he returned for the second time, he gave a substantial amount of that money back to Maharaj ji. Even today, Virat Kohli supports the food and other needs of the sadhaks living with Maharaj ji. He is a good person. His wife, too, has now developed devotion towards Radha Rani,” Falahari claimed while speaking to ANI.
Earlier, Virat Kohli’s team issued a statement, strongly denying a claim that he was allegedly paid Rs 5 crore for Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan. Calling the allegation “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.” “We would like to categorically state that the claims made by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma in regards to Mr. Virat Kohli are completely false, baseless and factually incorrect,” the statement.
“Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji.We strongly refute these claims and urge the media to exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report responsibly,” the statement added.
Kohli’s association with Premanand Maharaj has been public, with the cricketer and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, meeting the spiritual leader on multiple occasions. (ANI)
