Asaram Explained

Asaram
Birth Name:Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani
Birth Date:1941 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Berani, Sind Province, British India
Other Names:Asaram
Organization:Shree Yog Vedanta Sewa Samiti
Criminal Charge:Rape, Murder, Criminal Intimidation
Conviction:Rape, 2018
Conviction Penalty:Life imprisonment
Conviction Status:In Prison
Capture Status:Arrested on 31 August 2013, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Children:2, including Narayan Sai
Apprehended:1 September 2013
Imprisoned:Jodhpur Central Jail, Jodhpur
Website:https://www.ashram.org/

Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani (born 17 April 1941), known by devotees as Asaram, is an Indian spiritual leader and convicted rapist, who started to come into the limelight in the early 1970s. By 2013, he was estimated to have established over 400 ashrams and 40 schools in India and abroad.[1]

Multiple legal proceedings have been initiated against him, in connection with illegal encroachment, rape, and tampering of a witness. In 2018, Asaram was found guilty of the rape of a minor girl by Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma of a special Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe court in Jodhpur and is currently serving life imprisonment in Jodhpur.[2] [3] Asaram's counsel has filed an appeal in the Rajasthan High Court challenging the judgment of the special court. The counsel argues that the trial court ignored significant facts and claims that the case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media.[4]

Subramanian Swamy says that "Asaram has been framed in a false case following his drive against religious conversions. He has been implicated based on circumstantial evidences."[5] [6] In December 2017, Asaram was declared as a fake baba by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the apex organisation of Hindu Sants (saints) and Sadhus (ascetics) in India.[7]

In August 2024, after serving 11 years in prison, Asaram Bapu was granted a seven-day emergency parole by the Rajasthan High Court for Ayurvedic medical treatment. The plea cited that he had "suffered a series of heart attacks," and his coronary angiography report indicated "arterial blockages of up to 99%." Asaram Bapu has been admitted to AIIMS Jodhpur multiple times due to deteriorating health and severe chest pain.[8]

Early life

Asaram was born on 17 April 1941, in the Berani village of the Nawabshah District in British India (present-day Berani Town is located in Jam Nawaz Ali Tehsil of Sanghar district Sindh, Pakistan), to Menhgiba and Thaumal Sirumalani,[9] in the Sindhi caste.[10] His birthname was Asumal Thaumal Harpalani[11] [12] or Asumal Sirumalani.[13] [14]

Following the partition of India in 1947, he and his family moved to Ahmedabad, then part of the former Bombay State in India (now Gujarat), leaving behind their immovable assets in Sindh, where Asaram's father founded a coal and wood selling business.[15] Asumal ran this business for a short time, after his father's death.[16] He received his formal education at Jai Hind High School, up-till class III, when his father died.

Introduction into spirituality

Asumal had a history of running away from home, beginning at the age of 15 when he fled to an ashram eight days before his eventual wedding. In one such event away from home, a local religio-spiritual figure had[17] ordained him as his disciple at an ashram in Gandhidham, and named him Asaram on 7 October 1964.

Sources mention him to have been involved in a variety of professions ranging from selling liquors and tea to repairing cycles and trading sugar,[18] prior to his establishment as a religious leader.

Personal life

Asaram is married to Laxmi Devi.[19] They have two children, son Narayan Sai and daughter Bhartishree or Bharti Devi. Asaram remained a householder[20] and was never ordained a monk. Their son Narayan worked with Asaram.[21] [22] In 2019, a sessions court sentenced Narayan to life imprisonment in a rape case filed against him by a former woman devotee in 2013.[23] Laxmi Devi and Bhartishree were also arrested in relation to Asaram's offences, being accused of aiding and abetting the crime. They were acquitted for lack of evidence.[24]

Activities

Rise to prominence

According to his official biography, Asaram returned to Ahmedabad on 8 July 1971 and on 29 January 1972, built a hut at Motera, then a village on the banks of the Sabarmati.[14] Although his official biography does not mention it, Asaram had lived in Motera's Sadashiv Ashram for two years, before setting up his own hut adjacent to it.[25]

He became a popular katha-vachak (narrator of religious stories),[26] combining his discourses with humour, music and dancing.[27] Initially outside of his own Sindhi community, he attracted Other Backward Classes and Dalits. After he became well known, he started attracting the upper-caste listeners also. His ashrams offered free food. In the tribal areas, feasts were organized where utensils and clothes were distributed.

He converted his hut into a small ashram in 1973, and started with 5–10 followers. With successive local governments from across the political divide, paying economic patronage to him including by grant of lands for expansion of his ashrams,[28] and a growing Hinduisation of the Gujarati society in the wake of Hindutva centered politics. Many political leaders went on to visit him to pay him respect through the decades; primarily in lieu of commanding the votes of his followers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, Narendra Modi, Digvijaya Singh, Farook Abdullah, George Fernandes, Raman Singh, Uma Bharti, Kapil Sibal, Ajay Maken, Motilal Vora, Krishna Tirath, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Kamal Nath[29] [30] [31] [32] By 2013, Asaram claimed to have four hundred major and minor ashrams in India and 18 other countries, with over forty million followers.[33] [34] [35]

Teachings and views

Asaram's core teachings align with Hindutva-centred views. Ram Puniyani notes overt Brahminical tones in his teachings.[36]

Emphasizing upon the prominence of Brahmcharya[37] [38] and Guru-Shishya relationship, it was instilled among the devotees, to accept Asaram (and his son) as infallible, be blindly obedient to them and not to question them about anything, whatsoever. Physical violence is advocated for against any dissident.

Asaram has been long vocal against increasing sexual liberation of the society and deemed the adoption of Western culture artifacts as corruption of morality.[39] Shri Yogi Vedanta Seva Samiti organized a Matri Pitri Poojan Divas ("mother-father worship day") on 14 February, as a form of protest against Valentine's Day, which is supposedly symbolic of a Western cultural invasion.[40] [41] [42] Asaram's proposal was supported by many prominent Indian politicians including union ministers and the President of India.[43] In 2015, the Government of Chhattisgarh state even institutionalized the practice, and directed all schools to observe Matru-Pitru Diwas ("mother-father day") every year on 14 February after Asaram urged the Chief Minister Raman Singh in this regard.[44] [45] Similar statement was also issued by Hindu Mahasabha.[46] In 2014 he started Tulsi Poojan Diwas (a day to worship Tulsi - the Holy Hindu plant) to counter the celebration of Christmas.[47]

The teachings are typically pre-recorded and broadcast through mass-media. Asaram has also organized spiritual discourses all over India, whence his disciples are accorded diksha (initiation by a guru) by him. Around 20,000 students visited his satsang in Ahmedabad in December 2001.[48] [49] [50] He has also participated in shuddhi movements, and advocated against conversion to Christianity.[51]

Economic activities

Asaram runs an Ayurvedic medicine business. Two magazines—RishiPrasad, a monthly and Lok Kalyan Setu, a fortnightly—sold about 14 lakh copies every month in 2008, incurring a net annual earning of around INR 7.50 crore. Around three to four Gurupurnima functions, held per year, received donations ranging into crores of rupees. Frontline valued his assets (2008) at about INR 5000 Crore.

Gross economic mismanagement has been documented.[52]

Controversies

Land encroachment

Asaram had a modus operandi of occupying vacant plots of land, occupying it through illegal means including forgery of records and unleashing a throng of devotees, when resisted by the state machinery. A number of his ashrams have faced legal challenges, on grounds of illegal encroachment. Multiple state governments have razed ashrams to reclaim lands, that were illegally encroached upon (including by forgery of documents)[53] and there are multiple pending cases and investigations.[54]

In February 2009, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly had revealed Asaram illegally encroaching upon net land of 67,099 sq. m, in Ahmedabad alone. In February 2013, Serious Fraud Investigation Office recommended his prosecution in land encroachment worth INR 700 crore.[55]

Gurukul deaths

By 2008, 40 of Asaram's ashrams had gurukuls (residential schools) attached to them.

On 3 July 2008, two boys went missing from Asaram's gurukul in Motera (Gujarat). The boys' parents alleged that the ashram administration initially tried to restrain them from lodging a complaint with the police and that the police harassed them on receiving cues from ashram heavyweights. On 5 July 2013, the boys' mutilated bodies were found on the banks of the Sabarmati river near the Ashram, with the ashram having conducted several futile religious efforts in locating them. The incident led to unprecedented state-wide public agitations, with allegations that the boys had been sacrificed by Asaram and his followers through black magic.

Around same time, two more boys were found dead at a sister-gurukul in Chhindwara (accommodating about 370 students).[56] There were widespread local protests with calls for closure and numerous parents chose to take away their wards as a result, especially after the ashram authorities tried to prevent any telephonic conversation between them.[57] [58] The post-mortem report of the first death did not show any abnormality other than that of accidental death by drowning, and the parents accepted the results whilst giving Asaram and the Ashram authorities a clean chit.[59] Forensic investigation went on to reveal bite marks on the second body; however, the parents chose to not hold the Ashram authorities of any negligence, and instead wanted a probe into an alleged conspiracy to defame the ashram. A magistrate-level inquiry was subsequently ordered, which held a fourteen year old fellow student of murdering both the children.[60] The ashram was soon shut for at least a week.

The Narendra Modi-led Gujarat state government set up the Justice D.K. Trivedi Commission to probe the deaths in the Motera ashram and allotted a time-frame of three months.[61] The commission had been criticized by the High Court for its procedural biases towards Asaram; the final report was submitted in 2013, but were only disclosed in 2019 by the state legislature, essentially exonerating Asaram of all charges but holding the ashram authorities responsible for negligence.[62] A concurrent CID probe, ordered on the behest of the High Court of Gujarat had already rejected the claims of practice of black magic, in 2010.[63]

It was reported that after this event, Narendra Modi had warned the Vishwa Hindu Parishad not to support Asaram in any public forum. Asaram's supporters attempted to a patch-up with Modi, but were unsuccessful.[64] VHP was critical of Narendra Modi for abandoning Asaram.[65] Modi later in 2013 asked BJP not to defend Asaram.[66] Modi also ordered an investigation into his ashram properties.[67]

Delhi gang rape comments

In January 2013, while addressing a gathering of his followers, Asaram commented of the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim to be as guilty as her rapists: "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."[68] [69] He went on to opine against harsher punishments for the accused in the Delhi rape victim case (under retrospective provisions), as he felt that the law had the potential to be misused.[70]

The comments were widely criticized.[71] [72] Asaram states that his statements were distorted and misrepresented.[73]

Jodhpur rape convictions and imprisonment

In August 2013, a 16-year-old girl who was staying at Asaram's ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur, accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her on the night of 15 August at his Manai ashram in Jodhpur on the pretext of exorcising her from evil spirits.[74] [75] The girl's parents, who were disciples of Asaram, filed a complaint with the police in Delhi, and a case was registered after the medical examination of the girl confirmed sexual assault.[76] The issue was discussed in Indian Parliament and a strict action was demanded.[75]

When Asaram did not appear for interrogation by 31 August, Delhi Police booked him under multiple non-bailable sections of IPC.[77] Asaram was in one of his ashram(s) in Indore when clashes broke out between his disciples and the journalists and policemen.[78] Eventually, the Jodhpur police arrested him on 1 September 2013 from his ashram,[79] and flew him to Jodhpur, where he was imprisoned.[80] Asaram was charged under Sections 342, 376, 506 and 509 of the IPC, as well as under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Before his arrest he got wide-scale support from Bharatiya Janata Party in the state of Madhya Pradesh, including local MLA Ramesh Mendola.[81] Ashok Singhal and Pravin Togadia, presidents of Vishva Hindu Parishad deemed the arrest to be an attack on Hindu religious sentiments; Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the ruling party and the Hindu Jagruti Manch organised violent demonstrations across the country, in protest.[82]

Asaram had dismissed the girl's allegations[83] [84] and claimed impotency (which was subsequently proved to be untrue).[85] [86] Asaram had submitted to the court citation letters from former presidents KR Narayanan and APJ Abdul Kalam, former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal[87] to buttress his claim of having performed charitable acts over the years. However, the court, which sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl, dismissed the citations. He has since been in jail and was denied bail 12 times.[88] [89] [90] [91] The family of the victim allege that they received threats from Asaram's followers wanting the charges against him dropped.[80]

On 25 April 2018, Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court found him guilty of the rape charges and pronounced a verdict of life imprisonment, along with a fine of ₹500,000 which was to be paid to the victim.[91] Two of his associates were awarded 20 years imprisonment.[92] [2] [93] He and the other co-accuseds went on to appeal for a suspension of the sentence in the Rajasthan High Court.[94] On 29 September 2018, the Court suspended the sentence of one of the co-accused;[95] [96] however, on 23 September 2019, Asaram's plea for suspension was rejected.[97] Appeal said the trial court ignored many facts in its decision, "The present case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media.[98] [99] A separate appeal on the premises of the merits of the judgement, is ongoing.[100]

Asaram continues to evoke blind devotion from his followers, who believe that he has been the victim of a conspiracy.[101] [102]

Surat rape case

In December 2013, Asaram's son Narayan was arrested on charges of rape, after two sisters from Surat alleged that he and his father had raped them in Asaram's ashram during the mid-2000s.[103] The elder sister accused Asaram of repeated sexual assaults during 1997–2006 at the Motera ashram, whilst the younger sister accused Narayan of sexually assaulting her during 2002–2005 at the Surat ashram. One of the sisters also alleged that Asaram's wife and daughter helped the two men exploit the girls.[104] [105] In January 2023, a Gandhi Nagar court convicted him of this charge and sentence him to life imprisonment.[106]

On April 26, 2019, Narayan was convicted under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation) and 120-B (conspiracy) by Surat Court and sentenced to life imprisonment.[107]

Attacks against witnesses

From 2014 to 2015, there have been numerous attacks against various witnesses and relatives of victims, in the Asaram case.[108] [109] [110] [111] [112] [113] [114]

A former devotee and Asaram's videographer was fired at by vehicle-borne assailants in March 2014. Less than a week later, another former devotee, who was earlier thrown out of the ashram on spurious charges, was subject to an acid-attack but he managed to overpower one of his attackers; subsequent grilling revealed that the group were instructed by a devout follower of Asaram to assassinate witnesses in the case. An ashram secretary was shot at, after his deposition before Trivedi Commission. A former aide of Asaram, who had turned against him, was shot and killed on 23 May 2014, after multiple prior attempts.[115] [116] [117] Narendra Yadav, a vernacular journalist who profiled multiple stories on Asaram's exploits, was attacked in September 2014; he survived. A former cook, who was the prime witness in the Surat rape case, was shot and killed on 11 January 2015.[118] [119] Another of Asaram's former personal assistants, who turned witness in the Jodhpur as well as Surat cases, was victim of a stabbing by one of Asaram's follower after a court-session in February 2015; he alleged the act to have been green-lit by Asaram himself. Months later, the man went missing and police have failed to find any trace, till date; he had filed a plea in the Supreme Court for police protection, after being subject to a bevy of death threats by Asaram's followers, having mentioned about bringing more victims into the limelight. Another ex-personal-assistant and witness in both the cases narrowly missed an attempted murder in May 2015 and now lives under state protection.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Asaram's daughter running empire of 400 ashrams spread over India . 25 April 2018 .
  2. News: Asaram convicted for raping minor girl . 25 April 2018 . The Hindu . 25 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180425052646/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/live-updates-asaram-bapu-rape-case-verdict/article23665857.ece . 25 April 2018 . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  3. News: Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013 . The Times of India . 25 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180426034212/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/self-styled-godman-asaram-found-guilty-of-rape-of-teenager-in-2013/articleshow/63892726.cms . 26 April 2018.
  4. News: 2018-07-03 . Conviction challenged in Rajasthan HC . . 0971-8257.
  5. Web site: Asaram 'Framed' in False Case, Will Seek Bail for Him: Subramanian Swamy . NDTV.
  6. News: 2015-06-20 . Subramanian Swamy pleads for Asaram’s bail, verdict today . . 0971-8257.
  7. News: Apex body of sadhus releases 2nd list of fake godmen – Times of India. The Times of India. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615144958/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/apex-body-of-sadhus-releases-2nd-list-of-fake-godmen/articleshow/62299603.cms. 15 June 2018. live.
  8. Web site: Asaram gets 7-day parole from Rajasthan HC for ayurvedic medical treatment . August 19, 2024.
  9. News: Asaram worked at a tea stall before he became a 'godman'. 30 August 2013. IBNLive. 2 September 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130903101325/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/asaram-worked-at-a-tea-stall-before-he-became-a-godman/418345-3-239.html. 3 September 2013.
  10. News: The nightmarish struggle to bring Asaram to justice . Dubey . Priyanka . 1 April 2017 . . en . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072456/https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/asaram-nightmarish-struggle-bring-justice. 11 December 2019 . 2019-12-11.
  11. News: Controversial godman: Can Asaram come clean on the rape allegations?. 29 August 2013. Hindustan Times. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014013912/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Controversial-godman-Can-Asaram-come-clean-on-the-rape-allegations/Article1-1114370.aspx. 14 October 2013. dead.
  12. News: The Politics of Sex. India Today. 30 August 2013. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130901230315/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-sexual-assault-politicians-protect-controversial-godman/1/304598.html. 1 September 2013. live.
  13. News: Preeti Panwar . Asaram Bapu's life journey from a tea seller to the spiritual guru . 1 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927134428/http://news.oneindia.in/2013/08/29/asaram-bapus-life-journey-from-a-tea-seller-to-the-spiritual-guru-1294490.html . 27 September 2013 . live.
  14. News: Exclusive: The rise and fall of the guru. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180425193508/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/exclusive-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-guru/1163258/0. 25 April 2018. live.
  15. News: Coal-seller Harpalani turned Asaram 'bapu' faces new allegations . Daily Bhaskar . 22 August 2013 . 29 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927131925/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-coal-seller-harpalani-turned-asaram-bapu-faces-new-allegations-4354473-NOR.html . 27 September 2013 . live.
  16. News: How much are Asaram's assets worth?. 2 September 2013. Yahoo News India. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713042842/https://in.news.yahoo.com/how-much-are-asaram-s-assets-worth--132259632.html. 13 July 2015. live.
  17. News: Clouded in controversy . Uday Mahurkar . 24 July 2008 . India Today . en . 2019-12-15.
  18. News: 13 October 2017 . Tainted guru . Katakam . Anupama . Frontline. en. 2019-12-14.
  19. Web site: 2023-02-01 . Asaram Bapu's daughter Bhartishree Now handles his empire . 2023-08-03 . News18 . en.
  20. https://www.jagran.com/madhya-pradesh/bhopal-10665180.html आसाराम बापू के बचाव में आगे आई उमा भारती, Jagran, 23 Aug 2013
  21. News: Asaram, Son Asked To Appear Before Commission By 6 June . IndiaTV . 8 May 2005 . 8 May 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130903025117/http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/asaram-son-asked-to-appear-before-commission-by-june--7841.html . 3 September 2013 . live . dmy-all.
  22. News: Asaram, Ram Rahim, Rampal: The 14 fake babas put on boycott list. 11 September 2017. 25 April 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044338/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/asaram-gurmeet-ram-rahim-on-fake-baba-list-meet-the-14-faces-hindu-sadhus-want-boycotted/story-JYEQQkSYOOBFFQzKfbD7UP.html. 9 April 2018. Hindustan Times.
  23. News: Asaram's son Narayan Sai gets life imprisonment in rape case . The Economic Times . 29 March 2022.
  24. Web site: BREAKING: Asaram Gets Life Term in 2013 Rape Case Wife And Daughter Acquitted . 2023-08-03 . www.india.com . en.
  25. News: The saint and his taint. Tehelka.com. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713165359/http://www.tehelka.com/the-saint-and-his-taint/?singlepage=1. 13 July 2015. dead.
  26. https://www.amarujala.com/haryana/panipat/sinnger-asharam-bapu-charector-less-aarop-sp-meet कथावाचक आसाराम बापू पर दुराचार के आरोपों में मुख्य गवाह एसपी से मिला, अमर उजाला, Wed, 28 Dec 2016
  27. https://www.sarita.in/interview/gajendra-chauhan-became-ftii-chairman-but-how गजेंद्र चौहान: छात्रों के लिए युद्धिष्ठिर नहीं दुर्योधन जंगल लव जैसी सी ग्रेड फिल्में और महाभारत के युधिष्ठिर का किरदार, बस इसी उपलब्धि के आधार पर एफटीआईआई में चेयरमैन बन बैठे गजेंद्र चौहान, Sarita, सोमा घोष, February 15, 2016
  28. News: 4 October 2008 . In the name of faith . Nanda . Meera . Frontline . en . 2019-12-18.
  29. News: Political patrons. Tripathi . Purnima S.. Frontline. en. 2019-12-14.
  30. News: Asaram: From rags to riches to infamy. Mahurkar . Uday. 17 August 2015. India Today. en. 2019-12-17.
  31. Web site: 2018-05-03 . कभी ये बड़े नेता थे आसाराम के दोस्त! . 2023-02-17 . आज तक . hi.
  32. Web site: 2018-04-27 . Senior Congress Leaders who tried to save Asaram were completely nailed by The Supreme Court!! Do you know what the apex court said to these leaders? . 2023-02-18 . Post Card News: Breaking News, Exclusive Stories, History, Spirituality, Political Analysis, Economics, Nationalism, Culture, Opinion, India and World News, Indian Armed Force . en-US.
  33. News: The Dark Side of Asaram Bapu. OPEN Magazine. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130821093928/http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-dark-side-of-asaram-bapu. 21 August 2013. live. 30 January 2013.
  34. News: Asaram's empire of deceit . 6 August 2015 . Uday Mahurkar . India Today . en . 2019-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191211093316/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-asarams-empire-of-deceit-820220-2015-08-06 . 11 December 2019. live.
  35. The Policeman Who Toppled a Guru. Outlook. BBC World Service. Webb. Emily. 14 June 2018. 27 December 2019.
  36. Book: Puniyani, Ram. Religion, Power and Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times. 2005-07-21. SAGE Publications. 978-0-7619-3338-0. 42. en. Ram Puniyani.
  37. News: Dishank Purohit . Miracles, supernatural tales kept Asaram's cult going . 27 April 2018 . The Times of India . en . 2019-12-13.
  38. News: 4 October 2013 . Asaram's empire . Frontline . en . 2019-12-14.
  39. News: The Advantages of Being Asaram Bapu. Poonam. Snigdha. 2013-08-30. The New York Times. en-US. 2019-12-18.
  40. News: Indianisation of Valentine's Day. 15 February 2011. New Indian Express. 17 October 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023141458/http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article396976.ece. 23 October 2013.
  41. News: Worship parents on Valentine's Day, says Asaram Bapu. 29 January 2012. India Today. 1 September 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225123/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html. 27 September 2013.
  42. News: D P Bhattacharya . Worship parents on Valentine's Day, says Asaram Bapu . 29 January 2012 . India Today . 13 February 2013 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225123/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html . 27 September 2013.
  43. News: Commoner vs Asaram: Her word against the 'Gospel'!. Prerna Koul Mishra. 22 August 2013. India Today. 17 October 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131018021248/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/commoner-vs-asaram-bapu-her-word-against-the-gospel/1/300759.html. 18 October 2013.
  44. Web site: Commoner vs Asaram: Her word against the 'Gospel'! . 2023-08-03 . India Today . en.
  45. News: It's official: Chhattisgarh renames V-Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'. The Times of India. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227211455/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms. 27 February 2015. 12 July 2015.
  46. News: 2015-02-07 . It's official: Chhattisgarh renames V-Day as ‘Matru-Pitru Diwas’ . The Times of India . 2023-08-03 . 0971-8257.
  47. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/tulsi-pujan-day-2020-tulsi-day-trending-on-christmas/814610 Tulsi Pujan Day 2020: Tulsi Day trending on Christmas | क्रिसमस के बीच ट्विटर पर ट्रेंड कर रहा है तुलसी पूजन दिवस, जानिए क्या है वजह | Hindi News, देश
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  50. News: Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu survives chopper crash. The Times of India . 30 August 2012 . 22 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019122307/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter. 19 October 2012. live.
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  55. News: Anup Dutta . Asaram Bapu's gurukul says girl 'abnormal' after she accuses godman of sexual assault . 23 August 2013 . India Today . en . 2019-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201604/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/asaram-gurukul-blames-teenager-for-abnormal-behaviour-174683-2013-08-23 . 17 December 2019 . live.
  56. News: 1 August 2008 . Fourth child found dead in gurukul run by Asaram Bapu; protests snowball . . Express News Service . 2019-12-17.
  57. News: Vivek Deshpande . 2 August 2008 . As defence, Asaram ashram fields parents of dead child . . 2019-12-17.
  58. News: 14-year-old killed gurukul students: cops . . 2019-12-17.
  59. News: Parents of dead minor give clean chit to Asaram ashram . 30 July 2008 . Press Trust of India . India Today . en . 2019-12-17.
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  61. News: Parents of boys demand CBI probe. 7 October 2013. The Hindu. 12 July 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140830200807/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/parents-of-boys-demand-cbi-probe/article5212003.ece. 30 August 2014.
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  63. News: CID finds no proof of black magic in Asaram ashram. 8 April 2010. The Indian Express. en-US. 30 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115926/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/cid-finds-no-proof-of-black-magic-in-asaram-ashram/. 30 September 2018. live.
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  66. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/dont-defend-asaram-bapu-narendra-modi-tells-bjp-175287-2013-08-28 Don't defend rape-accused Asaram. Modi's angry diktat to party leaders, India Today, Bhavna Vij-Aurora, August 28, 2013
  67. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/modi-gives-orders-to-investigate-asarams-ashram-properties-209981-2013-09-05 Modi gives orders to investigate Asaram's ashram properties, India Today, UDAY MAHURKAR, September 5, 2013
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  75. News: After rape, Asaram Bapu threatened me to keep quiet, says girl. Financial Express. 26 August 2013. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150701194943/http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/after-rape-asaram-bapu-threatened-me-to-keep-quiet-says-girl/1160366. 1 July 2015. live.
  76. News: Asaram Bapu rape case: Medical test confirms sexual assault of victim. 21 August 2013. India Today. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150707102810/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-rape-case-medical-test-confirms-sexual-assualt/1/300632.html. 7 July 2015.
  77. News: FIR registered by victim against Asaram Bapu reveals a horrific tale of sexual assault. intoday.in. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130902211704/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fir-registered-by-victim-against-asaram-bapu-reveals-a-horrific-tale-of-sexually-assault/1/304713.html. 2 September 2013. live.
  78. News: Asaram supporters attack on journalists condemned. Singh. Mahim Pratap. 31 August 2013. The Hindu. Chennai, India. 1 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230141/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-supporters-attack-on-journalists-condemned/article5079624.ece. 4 October 2013. live.
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  80. News: Asaram Bapu, Two Others Convicted of Raping Minor Girl . The Wire . 25 April 2018 . 12 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185020/https://thewire.in/law/asaram-bapu-four-others-convicted-of-raping-minor-girl . 12 June 2018 . live.
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  82. News: Asaram Bapu is real saint, is innocent: Pravin Togadia. 2013-08-28. The Economic Times. 2019-12-17.
  83. News: Bakwaas: Asaram Bapu's response to charges that he threatened teen girl. NDTV. 27 August 2013. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130831143235/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bakwaas-asaram-bapu-s-response-to-charges-that-he-threatened-teen-girl-410966. 31 August 2013. live.
  84. News: Sonia & Rahul running a campaign against me, says Asaram Bapu. Deccan Chronicle. 29 August 2013. 2 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131005065730/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130829/news-current-affairs/article/sonia-rahul-running-campaign-against-me-says-asaram-bapu. 5 October 2013. dead.
  85. News: Asaram cleared potency test without any drugs. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130906012159/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Asaram-cleared-potency-test-without-any-drugs/articleshow/22243949.cms. 6 September 2013.
  86. News: Asaram tells police he is impotent, potency test says he has active libido. intoday.in. 25 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150618235657/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-tells-police-he-is-impotent/1/305098.html. 18 June 2015. live.
  87. News: Sharma . Aman . 2018-04-27 . Citation letters from President, netas couldn't save Asaram . The Economic Times . 2023-02-17 . 0013-0389.
  88. News: Asaram's son Narayan Sai gets temporary bail. 25 May 2015. rediff.com. 25 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525141436/http://www.rediff.com/news/report/asarams-son-narayan-sai-gets-temporary-bail/20150525.htm. 25 May 2015. live.
  89. News: SC rejects jailed godman Asaram Bapu's bail plea . Firstpost . 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180411180532/https://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-rejects-jailed-godman-asaram-bapus-bail-plea-1726265.html. 11 April 2018. live.
  90. News: SC refuses to grant bail to Asaram Bapu, orders lodging of fresh FIR – Times of India ►. The Times of India. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616212030/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-refuses-to-grant-bail-to-asaram-bapu-orders-lodging-of-fresh-fir/articleshow/56869879.cms. 16 June 2018. live.
  91. News: Self-styled godman Asaram sentenced to be in jail until death for raping minor girl. The Hindu . 25 April 2018 . 25 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909182248/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/self-styled-godman-asaram-sentenced-to-be-in-jail-until-death-for-raping-minor-girl/article23669214.ece. 9 September 2018. live.
  92. News: Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013 – Times of India. The Times of India. 25 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180426034212/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/self-styled-godman-asaram-found-guilty-of-rape-of-teenager-in-2013/articleshow/63892726.cms. 26 April 2018. live.
  93. News: Asaram Bapu verdict live updates : Godman along with two co- accused found guilty by Jodhpur Court. 25 April 2018. The Economic Times. 25 April 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184749/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-media-entry-banned/articleshow/63903700.cms. 25 April 2018.
  94. News: Asaram cites 'trial by media' in rape conviction, files appeal against life term. 3 July 2018. Hindustan Times . en . 30 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115801/https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html. 30 September 2018. live.
  95. News: Asaram Bapu rape case: Rajasthan HC suspends sentence of co-accused, grants her bail. 29 September 2018. DNA India . 30 September 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180930154429/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-asaram-bapu-rape-case-rajasthan-hc-suspends-sentence-of-co-accused-grants-her-bail-2669571. 30 September 2018. live.
  96. News: Rajashan High Court Admits Appeal Against Conviction of Asaram. NDTV . 11 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021312/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajashan-high-court-admits-appeal-against-conviction-of-asaram-1940191. 12 November 2018. live.
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  102. News: Asaram verdict: Ashram quiet, followers indignant . 25 April 2018 . . The Times of India . en . 2019-12-27.
  103. News: Asaram's son Narayan Sai arrested, Gujarat Police get one-day remand. Zee News. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082113/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/asarams-son-narayan-sai-arrested-gujarat-police-get-one-day-remand_894234.html. 4 March 2016. live. 4 December 2013.
  104. News: Police arrest Asaram Bapu's wife, daughter; release them. DNA India . 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713050405/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-police-arrest-asaram-bapus-wife-daughter-release-them-1939662. 13 July 2015. live. 23 December 2013.
  105. News: I fear for my life, says prime witness in rape cases against Asaram, Narayan Sai. India Today . 25 April 2018 . 25 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180425065302/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i-fear-for-my-life-family-says-prime-witness-in-rape-cases-against-asaram-narayan-sai-1219548-2018-04-25. 25 April 2018. live.
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  107. News: Narayan Sai sentenced to life imprisonment for rape. Satish Jha. April 30, 2019. Deccan Herald. April 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190430140452/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/narayan-sai-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-rape-731472.html. 30 April 2019. live.
  108. News: Husband of woman who accused Narayan Sai of rape attacked. oneindia.com. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150713045812/http://www.oneindia.com/india/husband-of-woman-who-accused-narayan-sai-of-rape-attacked-1404435.html. 13 July 2015. live. 28 February 2014.
  109. News: Witness in Asaram rape case attacked. 12 March 2014. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305201940/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/witness-in-asaram-rape-case-attacked/. 5 March 2016. live.
  110. News: Five held for attack on witnesses in rape cases against Asaram, Sai. 19 March 2014. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305195921/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/five-held-for-attack-on-witnesses-in-rape-cases-against-asaram-sai/99/. 5 March 2016. live.
  111. News: Guard left, 6th Asaram case witness attacked. 14 May 2015. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150705085848/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-key-witness-in-narayan-sai-case-attacked-in-haryana/. 5 July 2015. live.
  112. News: Another Asaram Bapu case witness shot at, seventh attack till now. 11 July 2015. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150712000126/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-more-witness-in-asaram-case-is-shot-at/. 12 July 2015. live.
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  114. News: Rape, murder, prostitution, hawala: The shady world of Asaram & son. Rediff. en. 2019-12-17.
  115. News: Amrut Prajapati, witness against Asaram, succumbs to bullet wounds. The Times of India. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150805025322/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amrut-Prajapati-witness-against-Asaram-succumbs-to-bullet-wounds/articleshow/36363482.cms. 5 August 2015. live.
  116. News: Vanzara protected Asaram like a wall. The Times of India. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140611161728/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Vanzara-protected-Asaram-like-a-wall/articleshow/24067037.cms. 11 June 2014. live.
  117. News: Asaram is alive because of my husband, my husband is dead because of him. 24 June 2014. The Indian Express. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306015338/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/asaram-is-alive-because-of-my-husband-my-husband-is-dead-because-of-him/99/. 6 March 2016. live.
  118. News: Asaram case: 5 things to know about Akhil Gupta who was shot dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150810235756/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-case-5-things-to-know-about-akhil-gupta-shot-dead/1/412780.html. 10 August 2015.
  119. News: Looking at all possible angles, not ruling out Asaram link to 'well-planned' murder: police. 14 January 2015. The Indian Express. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180523/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-say-not-ruling-out-asaram-link-to-well-planned-murder-of-rape-witness/99/. 5 March 2016. 12 July 2015.

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