Asaram Asking For Trouble

[Mehtab Singh]

CHANDIGARH: Controversial godman Asaram Bapu, who is facing rape charges following a complaint of sexual assault by a minor at his ashram in Jodhpur, has now invited the ire of the Sikh community.

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday filed a complaint against Asaram's trust and media adviser Neelam Dubey for comparing him to first Sikh master, Guru Nanak Dev.

In Punjab, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also lodged a police complaint Dubey had allegedly said "similar saints like Guru Nanak Dev faced such allegations of rape as well" during a TV show, forcing DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK to file a complaint.

"The video footage has been procured ," saidDCP (New Delhi) SBS Tyagi.

Singh further said that neither the Asaram trust or the godman has apologised or withdrawn their comments.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Asaram-case-Sikh-body-files-complaint/articleshow/22059418.cms

Close to 150 members of Sikh community on Sunday staged a strong protest at Sant Asaram square against spiritual guru's controversial remarks against Gurunanak Dev.

After facing charges of sexual assault against a minor girl at Jodhpur based ashram, the controversial religious mentor reportedly had said that he was ready to go to Tihar jail, as 'Gurunanak Devji also went to jail twice.'

Various organisations representing Sikh community have strongly reacted to these remarks and Sunday's protest was part of the reaction.

The enraged Sikh protesters beat up Asaram's picture with shoes and also burnt his effigy to vent their anguish. The demonstrators also blackened Asaram's picture displayed at the square, while demanding apologies from the self-proclaimed godman.

The agitated protesters also raised slogans against Asaram Bapu.

Gurusingh Sabha already has alleged that a person who is facing sexual assault charges is equating himself to great figure like Gurunanak Dev.

One of the protesters, Ranvir Bagga, told dna that the Sikh community is demanding unconditional apology from Asaram Bapu for his remarks.

The community has demanded from the mayor Krishna Murari Moghe that name of the Asaram Bapu square should be changed and should re-christened behind any martyr, Bagga said adding that the community would continue to protest against the religious guru unless he tenders an unconditional apology for his remarks.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1880134/report-sikhs-protest-against-asaram-s-remarks

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In fresh trouble for controversial godman Asaram Bapu, who is facing rape charges following a complaint of sexual assault by a minor in Jodhpur, a case has been filed against his ashram and close aides for comparing him to first Sikh saint, Guru Nanak Dev.

Reports on Monday said that the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee (DSGMC) had filed a complaint against Asaram's trust and media adviser Neelam Dubey for comparing him to Guru Nanak Dev.

A similar complaint has also been filed against the controversial godman's media advisor in Punjab by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Asaram's media adviser Neelam Dubey invited the ire of the Sikh community after she said, "similar saints like Guru Nanak Dev also faced such allegations of rape as well" during a TV show.

In view of the complaint filed by the Sikh religious bodies, Delhi Police have also obtained the video footage of the show.

DCP (New Delhi) SBS Tyagi said that neither the Asaram trust or the godman has apologised or withdrawn their comments.

Last week, a 16-year-old girl gave a complaint to Delhi Police accusing the spiritual leader of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Rajasthan's Jodhpur. The complaint was later forwarded to Rajasthan Police for investigation.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/asaram-bapu-s-comparison-with-guru-nanak-angers-sikhs-case-filed_871712.html

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: The past 24 hours have been critical across all religious groups and in particular lava of anger has erupted among Sikhs across the globe due to disgruntled statements made by Neelam Dubey, spokesperson of Asaram Bapu at a live debate of India News Channel hosted by Deepak Chaurasia on 23.08.2013. She stated comments against Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of Sikhs which is factually incorrect and thereby making disrespectful remarks in a debate where in issue of rape allegations against Asaram Bapu were being discussed on the channel during prime time telecast.

Asaram Bapus spokesperson, Neelam Dubey stated during the show that "Children of Guru Nanak Dev ji were burnt in Kadai (pan) and besides other statements even against Lord Gautam Buddha that allegation of rape were leveled against him and a further statement that he was sent to jail. Thereby hurting the sentiments of followers of Sikhism and same being repeatedly broadcasted by the India News with deliberate and malicious intention to insult or attempt to insult religious belief of Sikhs, amounting to punishable offence under the Indian Penal Code.

Taking a strong note of this act , Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee filed a complaint on Saturday afternoon with Parliament Street Police Station for registration of case against Neelam Dubey and India News for promoting enmity on the ground of Religion, making imputation, assertions which is prejudicial to national integration and for outraging the religious feeling by insulting the religious belief , besides this aforesaid news channel for mass circulation of statement whereby conducing a public mischief. The complaint has been filed on behalf of the organization by Ajmer Singh, Chief Administrator of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Unfortunately the debate has been uploaded by the channel on YouTube and on the website of the news channel as well.

Manjit Singh (GK),President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee strongly condemned this mischievous act and stated These remarks have been made deliberately, knowingly in order to promote feelings of hatred among the Sikh community which has the highest contribution in maintaining the sovereignty and integrity of India. He further said during the debate spokesperson of Asaram Bapu has compared him with the First Guru of Sikh religion whereby offending the Sikh community. The channel should have stopped airing the debate and should have issued an apology statement immediately he concluded.

Delhi Police has registered a first information report under section 153A, 295A and 298 of IPC at Parliament Street Police Station later in the evening today on basis of complaint made by D.S.G.M.C said Rakesh Malhotra, a prominent international criminal lawyer who is handling the case of behalf of the organization.

Manjinder Singh (Sirsa), General Secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee appealed to entire community for maintaining peace and harmony. He also stated that this statement and act has been made by spokesperson of Asaram Bapu on his behalf and in absence of any clarification being issued by Asaram Bapu himself suggests that he has consented for this statement and remarks.

In other word the statement made by Neelam Dubey on behalf of Asaram Bapu are bound to be regarded by any reasonable man as grossly offensive and provocative and maliciously and deliberately intended to outrage the feeling any religious community. The act has result into excited feelings of enmity in Sikh Community.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/national/lava-of-anger-erupts-across-sikh-sentiments/85506

[JasSinghKhalsa]

He is not Asaraam, it is TamashaRaam.

[Mehtab Singh]

Here are some more "honorable feats" of Tamasha Ram

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.

The Yog Vedanta Samiti of Asaram 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. The land belongs to the now defunct Jayant Vitamins Limited. Asaram denies any involvement, saying the report are baseless and untenable.

Asaram 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. He is reported to have said: “Only 5-6 people are not the culprits. The victim daughter 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.” 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.” Asaram 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."

Source: Wikipedia