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| website = [http://www.ashram.org/ www.ashram.org]}}
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'''Asaram Bapu''' born '''Asumal Sirumalani''' on April 17, 1941, is a Hindu preacher from [[India]]. He preaches the existence of ''One Supreme Conscious'' and claims [[Bhakti|Bhakti yoga]], [[Gyan yoga|Gnana yoga]] and [[Karma|Karma yoga]] as influences. In August 2013, he was accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan <ref>http://www.indiatvnews.com/crime/news/delhi-jodhpur-police-file-rape-case-against-asaram-bapu-godman-3561.html</ref> There are various other criminal cases, including murder and illegal land acquisition, pending against him.
'''Asaram Bapu''' born '''Asumal Sirumalani''' on April 17, 1941, is a Hindu spiritual leader from [[India]]. He preaches the existence of ''One Supreme Conscious'' and claims [[Bhakti|Bhakti yoga]], [[Gyan yoga|Gnana yoga]] and [[Karma|Karma yoga]] as influences.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==


Bapu was born on April 17, 1941, in the Berani village of the [[Sanghar District]] in [[Partition of India|undivided]] [[India]] (present day Pakistan), to Menhgiba and Thaumal Sirumalani.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web | url = http://ashram.org/PujyaBapuji.aspx | title = About - Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu | date = | accessdate = 2008-03-02 }} Biography of Sant Sri Asharam Ji Bapu on Ashram's Website</ref> At the young age he lost his father, he raised pursuing meditation and spirituality as he was taught basic lessons of spirituality and meditation by his mother. He finally left his family and traveled the country, until he went to [[Vrindavan]], to the ashram of saint [[Lilashah]]. Bapu has one son, Narayan Sai who is also known as Narayan Prem Sai.<ref name=NarayanSai>{{cite web | url = http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/asaram-son-asked-to-appear-before-commission-by-june--7841.html | title = Asaram Bapu Son Narayan Sai | date =2005-05-08 | accessdate = 2005-05-08 }}</ref> Bapu's spiritual discourses have been scheduled in different Indian cities like [[Ahmedabad]], [[Patna]] etc. and devotees also took ''[[diksha]]'' from him in these ''[[satsang]]'' programs. Around 20,000 students visited his ''satsang'' in Ahmedabad in December 2001.<ref name=SatsangCrowd>{{cite web | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-02/ahmedabad/27250212_1_asaram-bapu-students-throng-sant | title = Students throng at Asaram Bapu's discourse | date = 2001-12-02 | accessdate = 2001-12-02 }}</ref><ref name=dikshafollowers>{{cite web | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples | title = Many to take 'diksha' today | date =2005-05-08 | accessdate = 2005-05-08 }} Many to take 'diksha' today</ref> In August 2012, when Bapu was on his way to deliver a lecture in a local college, his helicopter crashed while landing at [[Godhra]]. Bapu, the pilot, and the other passengers survived unharmed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu survives chopper crash|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter|accessdate=22 January 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kapoor|first=Nirnay|title=Mirculous escape for Asaram Bapu, helicopter crashlands in Godhra|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/mirculous-escape-for-asaram-bapu-helicopter-crashlands-in-godhr-17518.html|work=India TV News|accessdate=22 January 2013|date=29 August 2012}}</ref>
Bapu was born on April 17, 1941, in the Berani village of the [[Nawabshah District]] in [[Partition of India|undivided]] [[India]] (present day Pakistan), to Menhgiba and Thaumal Sirumalani.<ref name=Biography>{{cite web | url = http://ashram.org/PujyaBapuji.aspx | title = About - Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu | date = | accessdate = 2008-03-02 }} Biography of Sant Sri Asharam Ji Bapu on Ashram's Website</ref> At the young age he lost his father, he raised pursuing meditation and spirituality as he was taught basic lessons of spirituality and meditation by his mother. He finally left his family and traveled the country, until he went to [[Vrindavan]], to the ashram of saint [[Lilashah]]. Bapu has one son, Narayan Sai who is also known as Narayan Prem Sai.<ref name=NarayanSai>{{cite web | url = http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/asaram-son-asked-to-appear-before-commission-by-june--7841.html | title = Asaram Bapu Son Narayan Sai | date =2005-05-08 | accessdate = 2005-05-08 }}</ref> Bapu's spiritual discourses have been scheduled in different Indian cities like [[Ahmedabad]], [[Patna]] etc. and devotees also took ''[[diksha]]'' from him in these ''[[satsang]]'' programs. Around 20,000 students visited his ''satsang'' in Ahmedabad in December 2001.<ref name=SatsangCrowd>{{cite web | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-02/ahmedabad/27250212_1_asaram-bapu-students-throng-sant | title = Students throng at Asaram Bapu's discourse | date = 2001-12-02 | accessdate = 2001-12-02 }}</ref><ref name=dikshafollowers>{{cite web | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples | title = Many to take 'diksha' today | date =2005-05-08 | accessdate = 2005-05-08 }} Many to take 'diksha' today</ref> In August 2012, when Bapu was on his way to deliver a lecture in a local college, his helicopter crashed while landing at [[Godhra]]. Bapu, the pilot, and the other passengers survived unharmed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu survives chopper crash|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter|accessdate=22 January 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kapoor|first=Nirnay|title=Mirculous escape for Asaram Bapu, helicopter crashlands in Godhra|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/mirculous-escape-for-asaram-bapu-helicopter-crashlands-in-godhr-17518.html|work=India TV News|accessdate=22 January 2013|date=29 August 2012}}</ref>


==Controversies and criticism==
==Controversies==

===Murder of 2 Little Boys in Ashram===
Abhishek Vaghela (11) and his cousin Dipesh Vaghela (10) went missing from a residential school of the Asaram Bapu’s Motrea Ashram in Ahmedabad in April 2008. Their decomposed bodies were later found from the banks of Sabarmati River near the Ashram.
Following a public outcry over a period of 4 years, the Gujarat CID filed a chargesheet against seven office-bearers at Asaram Bapu’s [[ashram]].<ref name="Firstpost2013">{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/godman-or-criminal-rape-not-the-only-charge-against-asaram-bapu-1049203.html
|title=Godman or criminal? Rape not the only charge against Asaram Bapu
|date=August 21, 2013
|newspaper=First Post}}</ref>


=== Land encroachment in Navsari district ===
=== Land encroachment in Navsari district ===
Line 50: Line 44:


Asaram Bapu came under widespread criticism when it was reported that he said the Delhi gang rape and murder would not have happened if the victim had called the rapist-killers her brothers and fallen at their feet. He is quoted as saying: "The girl should have taken God's name and could have held the hand of one of the men and said, 'I consider you my brother' and to the other two, she should have said, 'Brothers, I am helpless. You are my brothers, my religious brothers'. Then the misconduct wouldn't have happened." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Asaram-Bapu-holds-victim-responsible-for-gangrape/Article1-986079.aspx |title=Asaram Bapu adds to shame, says victim at fault too |publisher=http://www.hindustantimes.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-13}}</ref>
Asaram Bapu came under widespread criticism when it was reported that he said the Delhi gang rape and murder would not have happened if the victim had called the rapist-killers her brothers and fallen at their feet. He is quoted as saying: "The girl should have taken God's name and could have held the hand of one of the men and said, 'I consider you my brother' and to the other two, she should have said, 'Brothers, I am helpless. You are my brothers, my religious brothers'. Then the misconduct wouldn't have happened." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Asaram-Bapu-holds-victim-responsible-for-gangrape/Article1-986079.aspx |title=Asaram Bapu adds to shame, says victim at fault too |publisher=http://www.hindustantimes.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-13}}</ref>

=== 2013 Rape of Minor ===

Asaram has been accused by a 16-year-old girl of raping<ref>{{cite news|title=Controversial godman: Can Asaram come clean on the rape allegations?|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Controversial-godman-Can-Asaram-come-clean-on-the-rape-allegations/Article1-1114370.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=August 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rajasthan Police dispatches team to interrogate Asaram Bapu in rape case |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-rape-case-rajasthan-police-teams-go-to-indore/1/301468.html|newspaper=India Today|date=August 26, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=After rape, Asaram Bapu threatened me to keep quiet, says girl|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/after-rape-asaram-bapu-threatened-me-to-keep-quiet-says-girl/1160366|newspaper=Financial Express|date=August 26 2013}}</ref> her at his ashram in Rajasthan's Jodhpur city on Independence Day (August 15). The complainant lodged a case against Asaram of raping her at his ashram on August 20.<ref>{{cite news|title=Will Asaram Bapu be arrested?|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/will-asaram-bapu-be-arrested_872554.html|accessdate=29 August 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=29 August 2013}}</ref>. Asaram Bapu has been booked under Sections 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.<ref>{{cite news|title=Asaram Bapu case: Gehlot meets Shinde, says saints should maintain sanctity|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/asaram-bapu-case-gehlot-meets-shinde-says-saints-should-maintain-sanctity_872353.html|newspaper=Zee News|date=August 28, 2013}}</ref> The victim told the police that the guru had called her for a religious ceremony at his Jodhpur ashram, where he allegedly raped her. Initially Asaram's supporters claimed that he was not present at the location where the rape happened. However, police investigation confirmed Asaram's presence on the said location on the day and time of rape. The girl's family has been receiving threats to withdraw the complaint. Asaram's son Narayan Sai claimed that the victim was mentally challenged. <ref>{{cite news|last=Kaushik|first=Vimal|title=Delhi, Jodhpur police file rape case against Asaram Bapu, godman denies charge|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/crime/news/delhi-jodhpur-police-file-rape-case-against-asaram-bapu-godman-3561.html|accessdate=29 August 2013|newspaper=India TV News|date=22 August 2013}}</ref> As of August 29, the police has not arrested him because he was "busy meditating" and had "other commitments".<ref>{{cite news|title=Sorry! Asaram Bapu is meditating, Ashram tells police|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/MadhyaPradesh/Sorry-Asaram-Bapu-is-meditating-Ashram-tells-police/Article1-1113600.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=August 27, 2013}}</ref> Asaram calls the criminal case lodged by the underage girl "bakwaas" (utter nonsense).<ref>{{cite news|title=Bakwaas: Asaram Bapu's response to charges that he threatened teen girl|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bakwaas-asaram-bapu-s-response-to-charges-that-he-threatened-teen-girl-410966|newspaper=NDTV|date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>

Other victims have come out since, alleging having been sexually assaulted by Asaram in the past.<ref>{{cite news|title=Asaram Bapu molested me too nine years ago, says Raipur woman Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/asaram-bapu-raipur-molested-private-parts-ashram-sexual-assault/1/304222.html|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/asaram-bapu-raipur-molested-private-parts-ashram-sexual-assault/1/304222.html|newspaper=India Today|date=August 28, 2013 Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/asaram-bapu-raipur-molested-private-parts-ashram-sexual-assault/1/304222.html}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 10:31, 29 August 2013

Asaram
Born (1941-04-17) 17 April 1941 (age 83)
Berani, British India
NationalityIndian
SpouseLakshmi Devi
ChildrenNarayan Prem Sai (Son)
Bharti Devi (Daughter)
Parent(s)Mehangiba (Mother)
Thaumal Sirumalani (Father)
Websitewww.ashram.org

Asaram Bapu born Asumal Sirumalani on April 17, 1941, is a Hindu spiritual leader from India. He preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious and claims Bhakti yoga, Gnana yoga and Karma yoga as influences.

Personal life

Bapu was born on April 17, 1941, in the Berani village of the Nawabshah District in undivided India (present day Pakistan), to Menhgiba and Thaumal Sirumalani.[1] At the young age he lost his father, he raised pursuing meditation and spirituality as he was taught basic lessons of spirituality and meditation by his mother. He finally left his family and traveled the country, until he went to Vrindavan, to the ashram of saint Lilashah. Bapu has one son, Narayan Sai who is also known as Narayan Prem Sai.[2] Bapu's spiritual discourses have been scheduled in different Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Patna etc. and devotees also took diksha from him in these satsang programs. Around 20,000 students visited his satsang in Ahmedabad in December 2001.[3][4] In August 2012, when Bapu was on his way to deliver a lecture in a local college, his helicopter crashed while landing at Godhra. Bapu, the pilot, and the other passengers survived unharmed.[5][6]

Controversies

Land encroachment in Navsari district

In the year 2000, the Asaram Ashram was allocated about 10 acres of land in Bhairavi village of Navsari district by the Gujarat government. The ashram encroached on an additional 6 acres, leading to protests in the local villages. On a complaint filed by locals, and after repeated notices were ignored, the district authorities with police assistance bulldozed the encroachments and took possession of the land.[7]

Land encroachment in Madhya Pradesh

The Yog Vedanta Samiti of Asaram Bapu was reportedly given permission to use the premises of the Mangalya temple in Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh for 11 days for a satsang in 2001. The samiti failed to vacate the premises after the satsang, and continue to occupy a total of 100 acres of land, valued at over 700 crores.[8] The land belongs to the now defunct Jayant Vitamins Limited.[8]

Asaram Bapu denies any involvement, saying the report are baseless and untenable.[9]

Statements on 2012 Delhi gang rape victim

Asaram Bapu was severely criticized by the media after his remark that the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape victim, was equally guilty along with those responsible for the sexual assault on her.[10] He is reported to have said: “Only 5-6 people are not the culprits. The victim is as guilty as her rapists... She should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop... This could have saved her dignity and life. Can one hand clap? I don't think so.” [11] He is also reported to have said that he was against harsher punishments for the accused in the Delhi rape victim case, as the law could be misused. To support his point, he is said to have stated that, “Dowry law in India is the biggest example of law being misused.” [12]

Asaram Bapu came under widespread criticism when it was reported that he said the Delhi gang rape and murder would not have happened if the victim had called the rapist-killers her brothers and fallen at their feet. He is quoted as saying: "The girl should have taken God's name and could have held the hand of one of the men and said, 'I consider you my brother' and to the other two, she should have said, 'Brothers, I am helpless. You are my brothers, my religious brothers'. Then the misconduct wouldn't have happened." [13]

References

  1. ^ "About - Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu". Retrieved 2008-03-02. Biography of Sant Sri Asharam Ji Bapu on Ashram's Website
  2. ^ "Asaram Bapu Son Narayan Sai". 2005-05-08. Retrieved 2005-05-08.
  3. ^ "Students throng at Asaram Bapu's discourse". 2001-12-02. Retrieved 2001-12-02.
  4. ^ "Many to take 'diksha' today". 2005-05-08. Retrieved 2005-05-08. Many to take 'diksha' today
  5. ^ "Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu survives chopper crash". The Times of India. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  6. ^ Kapoor, Nirnay (29 August 2012). "Mirculous escape for Asaram Bapu, helicopter crashlands in Godhra". India TV News. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Asaram ashram encroachment demolished in Gujarat - Thaindian News". Thaindian.com. 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  8. ^ a b "Asaram Bapu’s prosecution sought for Rs 700cr land grab - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  9. ^ "Asaram denies involvement in Rs 700 cr land grab case in MP". Money Control. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  10. ^ "The Real War on Women…in India". The Diplomat. Jan 9, 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Asaram Bapu holds girl responsible for Delhi gangrape, says 'spare' the rapists, slams media". The Indian Express. New Delhi. ANI. January 8, 2013.
  12. ^ "Delhi gangrape victim as guilty as rapists: Asaram Bapu". firstpost.com. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  13. ^ "Asaram Bapu adds to shame, says victim at fault too". http://www.hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)

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