Abhay Singh, widely recognized as ‘IIT Baba' for his shift from a distinguished engineering career to a spiritual path, has refuted allegations of being expelled from the 16 Madi Ashram of Juna Akhara during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
In an exclusive late-night interaction with Aaj Tak on Friday, the aerospace engineer-turned-spiritual figure dismissed rumors suggesting his abrupt departure from the ashram. He accused the seers there of spreading falsehoods about him.
“They disseminated false information about me,” said IIT Baba. “The ashram operators asked me to leave at night. Now, fearing that my prominence might expose their workings, they’re spinning tales about my supposed ‘secret meditation.’ Their claims are baseless.”
Speculation had arisen that Abhay Singh’s parents visited the 16 Madi Ashram seeking his whereabouts, only to discover he was no longer there. However, Singh clarified that he remained present at the Maha Kumbh Mela and had not retreated to any undisclosed location.
Meanwhile, members of the ashram alleged that his frequent media engagements had impacted his mental state, resulting in inappropriate remarks. They further accused him of drug use, prompting Juna Akhara to suggest his departure.
Singh dismissed these accusations outright, challenging their authority to judge his mental well-being. “Who are these so-called psychologists who claim to understand my mental state better than I do? If they wish to evaluate me, they should possess more insight than I do,” he remarked, firmly defending his sanity.
He also addressed statements made by Someshwar Puri, a prominent seer from Juna Akhara, who identified himself as Singh’s guru. Rejecting this assertion, Singh said, “Who declared him my guru? I clearly told him there’s no guru-disciple relationship between us. Now that I’ve gained recognition, he’s opportunistically declared himself my guru.”
The IIT Baba’s remarkable journey from academia to asceticism has garnered national attention.
Born into a Jat family in Haryana, Abhay Singh excelled academically, securing a degree in aerospace engineering from IIT Bombay. He later pursued a master’s in design and briefly worked in Canada for an airplane manufacturing firm.
During the Covid-19 lockdown in Canada, his spiritual curiosity deepened. He returned to India, adopting a nomadic lifestyle and immersing himself in spiritual centers like Ujjain and Haridwar.
Though initially supportive, Singh’s family grew apprehensive about his growing spiritual pursuits. They questioned his mental health, even involving the police on several occasions. Six months ago, he cut ties with his family and left home.
Commenting on his son’s choices, Karan Singh, his father, told Aaj Tak, “Whatever decision he has made is right for him. I don’t wish to impose any pressure. He is a man of his own convictions.”
