Asaram Bapu shocker on Delhi victim: Is Godman unrealistic?

India

oi-Prahlad

New Delhi , Jan 7: India is a country of gods and godmen. Since gods do not speak, it is the responsibility of the godmen to act and guide the public in a responsible manner.

But what happens if the godmen with a huge following make insensitive remark? It shakes the trust in society and disturbs the faith.

Self-proclaimed godman from Ahmedabad Asaram Bapu has kicked up unnecessary controversy after holding the Delhi's 23-year-old girl herself responsible for the barbaric sexual assault by a group of six men.

Making an unrealistic suggestion, he said in Jaipur that "only five to six 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."

"Had she recited the Saraswati mantra, she would not have boarded any bus after watching a movie with her boyfriend," the godman said.

Life does not operate in such simplistic manner and somebody should tell the guru about the everyday ordeal of a woman.

Reacting to his statement, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, "political leaders including religious leaders must give serious thought before they speak out."

BJP leader Balbir Punj said, "I would say the man of this stature made a very childish suggestion. It not only need to be condemned but laugh it also."

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, "Sorry! It is not acceptable. Asaram Bapu's statement on Delhi braveheart is regrettable and deeply disturbing, unfortunate. He should introspect and immediately withdraw his statement."

This kind of uncalled for remarks came into the public sphere even as the trial of the Delhi gangrape-murder case in the Saket court. There was a high drama inside the Saket court on Monday as the five accused were produced. Members of the Bar Association created chaos after two lawyers offered to represent the accused, two of whom have reportedly expressed a desire to turn approver. The members of the Saket Bar Association had earlier decided not to defend the accused.

Some of the tweets on the issue were angry and spiteful:

Rituparna Chatterjee (‏@MasalaBai) : "Victim should have called culprits brothers and begged before them to stop. Can one hand clap?"- Asaram Bapu | It can slap. Shall I show u?

Archana Sharma ‏(@archie229) : We are ashamed to have such Babas.

RadhikaBudhwar ‏(@RadhikaBudhwar) : Asaramji,if you step out of your gilded pampered unreal life you might stop sounding like you need a BIG doseof reality.

Gappistan Radio ‏(@GappistanRadio) : Asaram bapu proving that your spiritual leaders are dumber than your politicians.

Mr. Tippler ‏(@MrTippler) : Bapu's (Mahatma Gandhi) third monkey removed hands from his mouth, evolved into a man, and became a religious preacher- Asaram Bapu !!

Riitu Chugh ‏(@junoesque) : Asaram Bapu's Wikipedia page hijacked by chamchas. Being edited to remove any links to his statement. Any suggestions ?

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