Abhey Singh, famously known on social media as ‘IITian Baba’, has been expelled from the Juna Akhara, one of the largest sects of sadhus, for allegedly disrespecting his Guru Mahant Someshwar Puri. A former aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay, Singh has been a significant attraction at the Maha Kumbh.
Chief patron of Juna Akhara Mahant Hari Giri confirmed the expulsion, citing that Singh’s actions violated the Guru-Shishya tradition and the principles of sanyas. “Disrespecting one’s Guru is a disregard for Sanatan Dharma and the Akhara,” a TOI report quoted him as saying. Giri added that the ban would remain until Singh demonstrates discipline and reverence for his guru. However, Singh has denied these allegations, calling them baseless.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, he claimed, “They’re spreading rumors because they think I’ve become too popular and might expose their secrets. This is nonsense.”
Singh also responded to claims by Someshwar Puri who had declared himself as his guru. Refuting the assertion, Singh told the news channel, “Who said he is my guru? I had already made it clear to him that there is no guru-disciple relationship between us. Now that I’ve gained fame, he’s trying to position himself as my guru.”
Popularly referred to as ‘Engineer Baba’, Singh hails from Haryana and left his career for a spiritual path. With over three lakh Instagram followers, he has garnered significant attention for his unconventional background.
Singh, a native of Haryana, has emerged as one of the Maha Kumbh’s most fascinating spiritual figures. After earning an aerospace engineering degree from IIT Bombay, Singh appeared destined for a stellar career in science but chose to take an unexpected turn.
Following his engineering pursuits, he delved into the arts, completing a Master’s in Design and cultivating a passion for photography. His career took him abroad to Canada, where he reportedly landed a job that paid him Rs 3 lakh monthly. Despite his professional success, Singh grappled with a deep sense of unfulfillment and battled depression. Yearning for purpose and inner peace, Singh ultimately left his high-paying job to embark on a spiritual journey.