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Basava Premanand is an eminent skeptic and rationalist from Tamil Nadu, India. He was born in Calcutta in 1930. A devotee of Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba for several years, he lost a major part of his property which he had given to a Sai Baba Trust. Disillusioned with his experience with Sai Baba, around 1975 he turned against the godman and now devotes his life to expose the so-called godmen and paranormal phenomena.
Founder president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA), he tours the villages of India to educate people by debunking gurus and fakirs whom he considers frauds or self deceived. He also is the convener of Indian chapter of CSICOP and publishes the monthly magazine, The Indian Skeptic, which "publishes articles on the scientific investigation of apparently paranormal occurrences with a special emphasis on cases from India".
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He is an amateur magician and used these skills to give a natural explanation of the alleged miracles of gurus and godmen. His most famous target is the Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba whom he tried to sue.
Described by BBC as India's leading guru buster, Premanand has "been honoured by the government with its highest award for the promotion of scientific values among the public." (The Telegraph, Calcutta: Sunday, November 21, 2004)
The Challenge of Premanand
In 1963, Abraham Kovoor offered an award of Rs. 100,000/- for anyone who could demonstrate supernatural or miraculous powers under fool-proof and fraud-proof conditions. After the death of Abraham Kovoor in 1978, Basava Premanand continued his challenge by offering Rs.100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Indian Rupees) to any person who will demonstrate any psychic, supernatural of paranormal ability of any kind under satisfactory observing conditions.
Books/Pamphlets authored by B.Premanand
- Science verus Miracles
- Lure of Miracles
- Divine Octopus
- The Storm of Godmen, God and Diamond Smuggling
- Satya Sai Greed
- Satya Sai Baba & Gold Control Act
- Satya Sai Baba & Kerala Land Reforms Act
- Investigate Balayogi
- United Front - FIRA 2nd National Conference
- Murders in Sai Baba's bedroom excerpts, review and pictures by Robert Priddy
External links
- Indian Skeptic official Website
- BBC radio documentary about Premanand (in RealAudio format)
- BBC News World service article by reporter Tany Datta Sai Baba: God-man or con man?
- Skeptical Enquirer article on B.Premanand
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