Best treatment given to Sai Baba, says Trust

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has denied reports that found fault with the Trustees and others close to the Sai Baba for neglecting his health.

The Sai Baba was attending to all his work and activities and the question of his sickness did not arise till he was admitted to the hospital on March 28 with complaints of chest and lung congestion. There was no reason to believe that something extraordinarily wrong happened to the Baba as he was interacting with all, and with full possession of his faculties.

Asked whether the Baba was treated as a spiritual guru or like any other patient, Trustee V. Srinivasan said the doctors treated him with utmost care as a patient insofar as administering medical care was concerned. The Baba opted for treatment by the doctor of his choice as it was a patient's prerogative. Mr. Srinivasan replied in the affirmative when asked whether the Baba was conscious enough to decide for himself about the treatment.

Mr. Srinivasan admitted that the spiritual guru was fragile and tenderly built, but was actively carrying out his work until March 27, a day before he was hospitalised. Recalling that the Baba himself prescribed medicines to his devotees on many occasions, he said it was difficult to give a suggestion or advice to a person of such stature. He refused to identify the “vested interests” working against the Trust saying it was not the culture of the Trust.

Reacting to the charge that the casket for the Baba was ordered when he was very much alive, he said the Trust had not made any such order and a devotee of the spiritual guru had sent it after the announcement on the passing away of the Baba was made.

Asked about the controversy surrounding the presence of Satyajit in the intensive care unit when the Baba's own family members were denied entry, another Trustee R.J. Ratnakar said Satyajit was a student in the Sai University and chosen by the Baba himself to be his personal attendant. Mr. Satyajit was not a Trustee as reported; he was an employee of the Trust. Mr. Ratnakar denied charges that he had a rift with Satyajit.

Asserting that the reports on its value were “hugely exaggerated”, the Trust said the lands owned by it were given for specific purposes and they were an integral part of the educational campuses and hospitals.