Asaram#Asaram Bapu Ashram

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,{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/asaram-worked-at-a-tea-stall-before-he-became-a-godman/418345-3-239.html|title=Asaram worked at a tea stall before he became a 'godman'|date=30 August 2013|newspaper=IBNLive|access-date=2 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=3 September 2013}} in the Sindhi caste.{{cite news |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/asaram-nightmarish-struggle-bring-justice|title=The nightmarish struggle to bring Asaram to justice |last=Dubey |first=Priyanka |date=1 April 2017 |website=The Caravan |language=en |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072456/https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/asaram-nightmarish-struggle-bring-justice|archive-date=11 December 2019 |access-date=2019-12-11}} His birthname was Asumal Thaumal Harpalani{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Controversial-godman-Can-Asaram-come-clean-on-the-rape-allegations/Article1-1114370.aspx|title=Controversial godman: Can Asaram come clean on the rape allegations?|date=29 August 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=The Politics of Sex|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-sexual-assault-politicians-protect-controversial-godman/1/304598.html|newspaper=India Today|date=30 August 2013|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901230315/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-sexual-assault-politicians-protect-controversial-godman/1/304598.html|archive-date=1 September 2013|url-status=live}} or Asumal Sirumalani.{{cite news |author=Preeti Panwar |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2013/08/29/asaram-bapus-life-journey-from-a-tea-seller-to-the-spiritual-guru-1294490.html |title=Asaram Bapu's life journey from a tea seller to the spiritual guru |access-date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/exclusive-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-guru/1163258/0|title=Exclusive: The rise and fall of the guru|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425193508/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/exclusive-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-guru/1163258/0|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |title=Coal-seller Harpalani turned Asaram 'bapu' faces new allegations |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-coal-seller-harpalani-turned-asaram-bapu-faces-new-allegations-4354473-NOR.html |newspaper=Daily Bhaskar |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=dead}} Asumal ran this business for a short time, after his father's death.{{cite news |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/how-much-are-asaram-s-assets-worth--132259632.html|title=How much are Asaram's assets worth?|date=2 September 2013|work=Yahoo News India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713042842/https://in.news.yahoo.com/how-much-are-asaram-s-assets-worth--132259632.html|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}} He received his formal education at Jai Hind High School, up-till class III, when his father died.

Asumal fled to an ashram eight days before his eventual wedding but was persuaded by his family to return. He left home at age of 23 after marriage, but returned after meeting his spiritual guru Leelashahji Maharaj in Nainital.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20080804-clouded-in-controversy-737024-2008-07-24|title=Clouded in controversy |author=Uday Mahurkar |date=24 July 2008 |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-15}} He was ordained as Asaram in 1964 by his guru whose spiritual lineage is said to include Vedavyasji, Adi Shankaracharyaji, Dadu Dayalji.{{Cite web |title=Guru Parampara: Boon to Humanity; Lord Vishnu to Asaram ji Bapu |url=https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/guru-parampara-boon-to-humanity-lord-vishnu-to-asaram-ji-bapu/81872260.html |access-date= |website=Ahmedabad Mirror |language=en}}

Sources mention him to have been involved in a variety of professions ranging from selling liquors and tea to repairing cycles and trading sugar,{{cite news |date=13 October 2017 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/tainted-guru/article9874185.ece|title=Tainted guru |last=Katakam |first=Anupama |website=Frontline|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}} prior to his establishment as a religious leader. In December 2017, Asaram was declared as a fake baba by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, an organisation of Hindu Sants (saints) and Sadhus (ascetics) in India.{{Cite news |title=Apex body of sadhus releases 2nd list of fake godmen – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/apex-body-of-sadhus-releases-2nd-list-of-fake-godmen/articleshow/62299603.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |title=Sources of authority within the Hindu tradition, and their impact on wider society - RE:ONLINE |url=https://www.reonline.org.uk/knowledge/hindu-worldview-traditions/sources-of-authority/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231206151128/https://www.reonline.org.uk/knowledge/hindu-worldview-traditions/sources-of-authority/ |archive-date=2023-12-06 |access-date= |work=RE:ONLINE |language=en-US}}

Asaram is married to Laxmi Devi.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Asaram Bapu's daughter Bhartishree Now handles his empire |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/after-rape-convict-asaram-bapus-arrest-daughter-bhartishree-in-charge-of-his-empire-6965425.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=News18 |language=en}} They have two children, son Narayan Sai and daughter Bhartishree or Bharti Devi. Asaram remained a householder[https://www.jagran.com/madhya-pradesh/bhopal-10665180.html आसाराम बापू के बचाव में आगे आई उमा भारती, Jagran, 23 Aug 2013] and was never ordained a monk. Their son Narayan worked with Asaram.{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/asaram-son-asked-to-appear-before-commission-by-june--7841.html |title=Asaram, Son Asked To Appear Before Commission By 6 June |publisher=IndiaTV |date=8 May 2005 |access-date=8 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903025117/http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/asaram-son-asked-to-appear-before-commission-by-june--7841.html |archive-date=3 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |url=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|title=Asaram, Ram Rahim, Rampal: The 14 fake babas put on boycott list|date=11 September 2017|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=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|archive-date=9 April 2018|work=Hindustan Times}} In 2019, a sessions court sentenced Narayan to life imprisonment in a rape case filed against him by a former woman devotee in 2013.{{cite news |title=Asaram's son Narayan Sai gets life imprisonment in rape case | newspaper=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asarams-son-narayan-sai-gets-life-imprisonment-in-rape-case/articleshow/69116522.cms?from=mdr |access-date=29 March 2022}} 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.{{Cite web |title=BREAKING: Asaram Gets Life Term in 2013 Rape Case Wife And Daughter Acquitted |url=https://www.india.com/news/india/breaking-asaram-gets-life-term-in-2013-rape-case-wife-and-daughter-acquitted-5877337/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}

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. 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.tehelka.com/the-saint-and-his-taint/?singlepage=1|title=The saint and his taint|work=Tehelka.com|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713165359/http://www.tehelka.com/the-saint-and-his-taint/?singlepage=1|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}}

He became a popular katha-vachak (narrator of religious stories),[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] combining his discourses with humour, music and dancing.[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] 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.

{{Quote box

| quote = It was my great opportunity to have met him at a point in my life when nobody knew me ... From that time I have been receiving Bapu's blessings, have continued to receive his affection... Asaram's words had a yogic strength, and with trust in that yogic strength, the dream of crores of us in Gujarat will come true... I pray on Bapu's blessed steps, I bow to him. Sacred Bapu's love, his blessings, his best wishes will give me new strength. With that belief, I got the chance to come here, I consider myself lucky for it. I prostrate myself before blessed Bapu...

| author = Narendra Modi — then general secretary of Gujarat BJP and later Prime Minister of India — speaking at a gathering of Asaram's devotees at Motera Ashram (2000).
Scholars note Asaram to have played an important role in Modi's rise to power.{{Cite book|title=Fascism: essays on Europe and India|editor-last=Banaji|editor-first=Jairus|date=2013|isbn=978-81-88789-94-8|chapter=Postscript|chapter-url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/22094/1/Fascism%20(postscript).pdf|language=en|oclc=840408180}}{{Cite journal|last=Sinha|first=Subir|date=2017|title=Mediatized Populisms{{!}} Fragile Hegemony: Social Media and Competitive Electoral Populism in India|url=https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/6739|journal=International Journal of Communication|volume=11}}

| align = right

| width = 350px

}}

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,{{cite news |date=4 October 2008 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/in-the-name-of-faith/article5137396.ece |title=In the name of faith |last=Nanda |first=Meera |website=Frontline |language=en |access-date=2019-12-18}} and a growing Hinduisation of the Gujarati society in the wake of Hindutva centered politics.{{Efn|However Justice D K Trivedi Commission stated that there is no evidence of such rituals in one of his Ashrams at Gujarat.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/death-of-two-school-children-asaram-son-get-clean-chit-from-commission/articleshow/70399390.cms|title=Death of two school-children: Asaram, son get clean chit from commission|date=2019-07-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-18}}}}

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{{cite news |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/political-patrons/article5137394.ece|title=Political patrons|last=Tripathi |first=Purnima S.|website=Frontline|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-from-rags-to-riches-to-infamy-820219-2015-08-06|title=Asaram: From rags to riches to infamy|last=Mahurkar |first=Uday|date=17 August 2015|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=कभी ये बड़े नेता थे आसाराम के दोस्त! |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india-today-plus/bebak/story/asharam-bapu-narendra-modi-digvijay-singh-advani-bjp-congress-545667-2018-05-03 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=आज तक |language=hi}}{{Cite web |date=2018-04-27 |title=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? |url=https://postcard.news/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/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Post Card News: Breaking News, Exclusive Stories, History, Spirituality, Political Analysis, Economics, Nationalism, Culture, Opinion, India and World News, Indian Armed Force |language=en-US}} By 2013, Asaram claimed to have four hundred major and minor ashrams in India and 18 other countries, with over forty million followers.{{cite news |url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-dark-side-of-asaram-bapu|title=The Dark Side of Asaram Bapu|work=OPEN Magazine|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821093928/http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-dark-side-of-asaram-bapu|archive-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|date=30 January 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-asarams-empire-of-deceit-820220-2015-08-06|title=Asaram's empire of deceit |date=6 August 2015 |author=Uday Mahurkar |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211093316/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-asarams-empire-of-deceit-820220-2015-08-06 |archive-date=11 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite podcast|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06b26ff|title=The Policeman Who Toppled a Guru|website=Outlook|publisher=BBC World Service|last=Webb|first=Emily|date=14 June 2018|access-date=27 December 2019}}

Asaram's core teachings align with Hindutva-centred views. Ram Puniyani notes overt Brahminical tones in his teachings.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZdPipb-u21gC|title=Religion, Power and Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times|last=Puniyani|first=Ram|date=2005-07-21|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-7619-3338-0|pages=42|language=en|author-link=Ram Puniyani}}

Emphasizing upon the prominence of Brahmcharya{{cite news |author=Dishank Purohit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jodhpur/miracles-supernatural-tales-kept-asarams-cult-going/articleshow/63932093.cms |title=Miracles, supernatural tales kept Asaram's cult going |date=27 April 2018 |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=2019-12-13}}{{cite news |date=4 October 2013 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/asarams-empire/article5137420.ece |title=Asaram's empire |website=Frontline |language=en |access-date=2019-12-14}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/the-advantages-of-being-asaram-bapu/|title=The Advantages of Being Asaram Bapu|last=Poonam|first=Snigdha|date=2013-08-30|website=The New York Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-18}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article396976.ece|title=Indianisation of Valentine's Day|date=15 February 2011|newspaper=New Indian Express|access-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023141458/http://newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/article396976.ece|archive-date=23 October 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html|title=Worship parents on Valentine's Day, says Asaram Bapu|date=29 January 2012|newspaper=India Today|access-date=1 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225123/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html|archive-date=27 September 2013}}{{cite news |author=D P Bhattacharya |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html |title=Worship parents on Valentine's Day, says Asaram Bapu |date=29 January 2012 |newspaper=India Today |access-date=13 February 2013 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225123/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worship-parents-on-valentines-day-asaram-bapu/1/171080.html |archive-date=27 September 2013}} Asaram's proposal was supported by many prominent Indian politicians including union ministers and the President of India.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/commoner-vs-asaram-bapu-her-word-against-the-gospel/1/300759.html|title=Commoner vs Asaram: Her word against the 'Gospel'!|author=Prerna Koul Mishra|date=22 August 2013|newspaper=India Today|access-date=17 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018021248/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/commoner-vs-asaram-bapu-her-word-against-the-gospel/1/300759.html|archive-date=18 October 2013}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Commoner vs Asaram: Her word against the 'Gospel'! |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/commoner-vs-asaram-bapu-her-word-against-the-gospel-174611-2013-08-21 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms|title=It's official: Chhattisgarh renames V-Day as 'Matru-Pitru Diwas'|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227211455/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms|archive-date=27 February 2015|access-date=12 July 2015}} Similar statement was also issued by Hindu Mahasabha.{{Cite news |date=2015-02-07 |title=It's official: Chhattisgarh renames V-Day as ‘Matru-Pitru Diwas’ |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-official-Chhattisgarh-renames-V-Day-as-Matru-Pitru-Diwas/articleshow/46151391.cms |access-date=2023-08-03 |issn=0971-8257}} In 2014 he started Tulsi Poojan Diwas (a day to worship Tulsi - the Holy Hindu plant) to counter the celebration of Christmas.[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]

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.{{cite news |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=2 December 2001 |access-date=2 December 2001 |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023205137/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-02/ahmedabad/27250212_1_asaram-bapu-students-throng-sant |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples |title=Many to take 'diksha' today |date=8 May 2005 |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928034650/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}} Many to take 'diksha' today{{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 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=30 August 2012 |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019122307/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter|archive-date=19 October 2012|url-status=live}} He has also participated in shuddhi movements, and advocated against conversion to Christianity.{{Cite journal|last1=Kanungo|first1=Pralay|last2=Joshi|first2=Satyakam|date=2009-12-01|title=Carving out a White Marble Deity from a Rugged Black Stone?: Hindutva Rehabilitates Ramayan's Shabari in a Temple|journal=International Journal of Hindu Studies|language=en|volume=13|issue=3|pages=279–299|doi=10.1007/s11407-010-9080-5|issn=1574-9282|jstor=40608066|s2cid=143078203}}

In 2024, thousands gathered at Asaram's Ahmedabad Ashram for Spiritual Awakening shivir organized during Diwali. The annual seven day event aimed to promote holistic development through Vedic knowledge, yogic practices and cultural revival.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-06 |title=Thousands gather for Diwali Shivir at Asaram Bapu Ashram |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/thousands-gather-for-diwali-shivir-at-asaram-bapu-ashram/articleshow/115025792.cms |access-date= |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

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.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=__R5DwAAQBAJ|title=God of Sin: The Cult, Clout and Downfall of Asaram Bapu|last=Majumdar|first=Ushinor|date=2018-12-05|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=978-93-5305-365-9|language=en}}

Asaram constituted Tulsi Pujan Diwas in 2014. It has been promoted as an alternative to Christmas.{{Cite news |title=क्रिसमस पर क्यों मना रहे हैं तुलसी पूजन दिवस |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-42478227 |access-date=2025-06-19 |work=BBC News हिंदी |language=hi}}

Asaram had a modus operandi of occupying vacant plots of land, 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){{cite news |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/asaram-ashram-encroachment-demolished-in-gujarat_100466359.html|title=Asaram ashram encroachment demolished in Gujarat|date=27 November 2010 |publisher=Thaindian News |access-date=11 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911004459/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/asaram-ashram-encroachment-demolished-in-gujarat_100466359.html|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=live}} and there are multiple pending cases and investigations.{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/bhopal/36393250_1_asaram-bapu-narayan-sai-sfio|title=Asaram Bapu's prosecution sought for Rs 700cr land grab|date=17 January 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824072830/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/bhopal/36393250_1_asaram-bapu-narayan-sai-sfio|archive-date=24 August 2013|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |author=Anup Dutta |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/asaram-gurukul-blames-teenager-for-abnormal-behaviour-174683-2013-08-23 |title=Asaram Bapu's gurukul says girl 'abnormal' after she accuses godman of sexual assault |date=23 August 2013 |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201604/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/asaram-gurukul-blames-teenager-for-abnormal-behaviour-174683-2013-08-23 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live}}

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 2008, 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 the same time, two more boys were found dead at a sister-gurukul in Chhindwara (accommodating about 370 students).{{cite news |date=1 August 2008 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/fourth-child-found-dead-in-gurukul-run-by-asaram-bapu--protests-snowball/343187/|title=Fourth child found dead in gurukul run by Asaram Bapu; protests snowball |work=The Indian Express |agency=Express News Service |access-date=2019-12-17}} 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.{{cite news |author=Vivek Deshpande |date=2 August 2008 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/as-defence-asaram-ashram-fields-parents-of-dead-child/343681/ |title=As defence, Asaram ashram fields parents of dead child |work=The Indian Express |access-date=2019-12-17}}{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/14yearold-killed-gurukul-students-cops/344322/|title=14-year-old killed gurukul students: cops |work=The Indian Express |access-date=2019-12-17}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/parents-of-dead-minor-give-clean-chit-to-asaram-ashram-27812-2008-07-30|title=Parents of dead minor give clean chit to Asaram ashram |date=30 July 2008 |agency=Press Trust of India |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-17}} 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.{{cite news |author=Milind Ghatwai |date=4 August 2008 |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/14yearold-killed-gurukul-students-cops/344322 |title=14-year-old killed gurukul students: cops |work=The Indian Express |access-date=2019-12-17}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/parents-of-boys-demand-cbi-probe/article5212003.ece|title=Parents of boys demand CBI probe|date=7 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=12 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830200807/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/parents-of-boys-demand-cbi-probe/article5212003.ece|archive-date=30 August 2014}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/death-of-two-school-children-asaram-son-get-clean-chit-from-commission/articleshow/70399390.cms|title=Death of two school-children: Asaram, son get clean chit from commission|date=2019-07-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-11}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/cid-finds-no-proof-of-black-magic-in-asaram-ashram/|title=CID finds no proof of black magic in Asaram ashram|date=8 April 2010|work=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115926/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/cid-finds-no-proof-of-black-magic-in-asaram-ashram/|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}

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.[https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/opinion-asarams-downfall-began-10-years-ago-with-a-probe-by-cm-narendra-modi-in-gujarat-1730295.html Asaram's Downfall Began 10 Years Ago With a Probe by CM Narendra Modi in Gujarat, News18, APRIL 26, 2018] VHP was critical of Narendra Modi for abandoning Asaram.[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/vhp-attacks-bjp-govt-in-gujarat-on-asaram-bapu-issue/558284/ VHP attacks BJP govt in Gujarat on Asaram Bapu issue, Indian Express, Wed Dec 23 2009] Modi later in 2013 asked BJP not to defend Asaram.[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] Modi also ordered an investigation into his ashram properties.[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]

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."{{Cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=C. Mackenzie|last2=Agrawal|first2=Nupur D.|date=2014|title=The Rape that Woke Up India: Hindu Imagination and the Rape of Jyoti Singh Pandey|url=https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=relig_faculty|journal=Journal of Religion and Violence|volume=2|issue=2|pages=240|doi=10.5840/jrv2014222|issn=2159-6808|jstor=26671430|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-delhi-gang-rape-asaram-bapu-views-idINDEE90809L20130109|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306214700/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-delhi-gang-rape-asaram-bapu-views-idINDEE90809L20130109|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 March 2016|title=Asaram Bapu's view on Delhi rape raises anger, but shared by many|date=2013-01-09|publisher=Reuters |language=en |access-date=2019-12-17}} 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.{{cite news |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|date=7 January 2013|work=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212020951/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Asaram-Bapu-holds-victim-responsible-for-gangrape/Article1-986079.aspx|archive-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=13 January 2013}}

The comments were widely criticized.{{Cite journal|last1=Dutta|first1=Debolina|last2=Sircar|first2=Oishik|date=2013|title=India's Winter of Discontent: Some Feminist Dilemmas in the Wake of a Rape|journal=Feminist Studies|volume=39|issue=1|pages=295|issn=0046-3663|jstor=23719318}}{{Cite journal|last=Kinnvall|first=Catarina|date=March 2017|title=Feeling ontologically (in)secure: States, traumas and the governing of gendered space|journal=Cooperation and Conflict|language=en|volume=52|issue=1|pages=90–108|doi=10.1177/0010836716641137|s2cid=146989700|issn=0010-8367}} Asaram states that his statements were distorted and misrepresented.{{cite news |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/delhi-gang-rape-asaram-bapu-denies-controversial-144234916.html|title=Delhi gang rape: Asaram Bapu denies 'controversial' comment|date=8 January 2013|publisher=Yahoo! News |access-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003727/http://in.news.yahoo.com/delhi-gang-rape-asaram-bapu-denies-controversial-144234916.html|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaram-bapu-brought-to-jodhpur-after-late-night-arrest-533252|title=Asaram Bapu brought to Jodhpur after late night arrest|publisher=NDTV|date=1 September 2013|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927180613/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaram-bapu-brought-to-jodhpur-after-late-night-arrest-533252|archive-date=27 September 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=After rape, Asaram Bapu threatened me to keep quiet, says girl|url=http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/after-rape-asaram-bapu-threatened-me-to-keep-quiet-says-girl/1160366|newspaper=Financial Express|date=26 August 2013|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701194943/http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/after-rape-asaram-bapu-threatened-me-to-keep-quiet-says-girl/1160366|archive-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-rape-case-medical-test-confirms-sexual-assualt/1/300632.html|title=Asaram Bapu rape case: Medical test confirms sexual assault of victim|date=21 August 2013|newspaper=India Today|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707102810/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-bapu-rape-case-medical-test-confirms-sexual-assualt/1/300632.html|archive-date=7 July 2015}} The issue was discussed in Indian Parliament and a strict action was demanded.

When Asaram did not appear for interrogation by 31 August, Delhi Police booked him under multiple non-bailable sections of IPC.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fir-registered-by-victim-against-asaram-bapu-reveals-a-horrific-tale-of-sexually-assault/1/304713.html|title=FIR registered by victim against Asaram Bapu reveals a horrific tale of sexual assault|work=intoday.in|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=2 September 2013|url-status=live}} Asaram was in one of his ashram(s) in Indore when clashes broke out between his disciples and the journalists and policemen.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-supporters-attack-on-journalists-condemned/article5079624.ece|title=Asaram supporters attack on journalists condemned|last=Singh|first=Mahim Pratap|date=31 August 2013|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai, India|access-date=1 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230141/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-supporters-attack-on-journalists-condemned/article5079624.ece|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=live}} Eventually, the Jodhpur police arrested him on 1 September 2013 from his ashram,{{cite news |title=Indian guru Asaram Bapu arrested over rape claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/indian-guru-asaram-bapu-rape-claim|date=1 September 2013|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221095111/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/indian-guru-asaram-bapu-rape-claim|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live}} and flew him to Jodhpur, where he was imprisoned.{{cite news |title=Asaram Bapu, Two Others Convicted of Raping Minor Girl |url=https://thewire.in/law/asaram-bapu-four-others-convicted-of-raping-minor-girl |work=The Wire |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185020/https://thewire.in/law/asaram-bapu-four-others-convicted-of-raping-minor-girl |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-served-summons-to-appear-in-jodhpur-by-august-30/article5065101.ece |title=Asaram served summons; to appear in Jodhpur by August 30 |access-date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102122742/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-served-summons-to-appear-in-jodhpur-by-august-30/article5065101.ece |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=live |newspaper=The Hindu |date=27 August 2013 |last1=Vincent |first1=Pheroze L.}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-bapu-is-real-saint-is-innocent-pravin-togadia/articleshow/22125229.cms?from=mdr|title=Asaram Bapu is real saint, is innocent: Pravin Togadia|date=2013-08-28|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-17}}

Asaram had dismissed the girl's allegations{{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=27 August 2013|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=31 August 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Sonia & Rahul running a campaign against me, says Asaram Bapu|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130829/news-current-affairs/article/sonia-rahul-running-campaign-against-me-says-asaram-bapu|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|date=29 August 2013|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005065730/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130829/news-current-affairs/article/sonia-rahul-running-campaign-against-me-says-asaram-bapu|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}} and claimed impotency (which was subsequently proved to be untrue).{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Asaram-cleared-potency-test-without-any-drugs/articleshow/22243949.cms|title=Asaram cleared potency test without any drugs|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906012159/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Asaram-cleared-potency-test-without-any-drugs/articleshow/22243949.cms|archive-date=6 September 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-tells-police-he-is-impotent/1/305098.html|title=Asaram tells police he is impotent, potency test says he has active libido|work=intoday.in|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618235657/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/asaram-tells-police-he-is-impotent/1/305098.html|archive-date=18 June 2015|url-status=live}} 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{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Aman |date=2018-04-27 |title=Citation letters from President, netas couldn't save Asaram |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/citation-letters-from-president-netas-couldnt-save-asaram/articleshow/63933583.cms |access-date=2023-02-17 |issn=0013-0389}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/asarams-son-narayan-sai-gets-temporary-bail/20150525.htm|title=Asaram's son Narayan Sai gets temporary bail|date=25 May 2015|work=rediff.com|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525141436/http://www.rediff.com/news/report/asarams-son-narayan-sai-gets-temporary-bail/20150525.htm|archive-date=25 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-rejects-jailed-godman-asaram-bapus-bail-plea-1726265.html|title=SC rejects jailed godman Asaram Bapu's bail plea |website=Firstpost |access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411180532/https://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-rejects-jailed-godman-asaram-bapus-bail-plea-1726265.html|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-refuses-to-grant-bail-to-asaram-bapu-orders-lodging-of-fresh-fir/articleshow/56869879.cms|title=SC refuses to grant bail to Asaram Bapu, orders lodging of fresh FIR – Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=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|archive-date=16 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Self-styled godman Asaram sentenced to be in jail until death for raping minor girl|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/self-styled-godman-asaram-sentenced-to-be-in-jail-until-death-for-raping-minor-girl/article23669214.ece |work=The Hindu |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=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|archive-date=9 September 2018|url-status=live}} The family of the victim allege that they received threats from Asaram's followers wanting the charges against him dropped.

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. Two of his associates were awarded 20 years imprisonment.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/self-styled-godman-asaram-found-guilty-of-rape-of-teenager-in-2013/articleshow/63892726.cms|title=Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013 – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=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|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-media-entry-banned/articleshow/63903700.cms|title=Asaram Bapu verdict live updates : Godman along with two co- accused found guilty by Jodhpur Court|date=25 April 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=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|archive-date=25 April 2018}} He and the other co-accuseds went on to appeal for a suspension of the sentence in the Rajasthan High Court.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html|title=Asaram cites 'trial by media' in rape conviction, files appeal against life term|date=3 July 2018|work=Hindustan Times |language=en |access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=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|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}} On 29 September 2018, the Court suspended the sentence of one of the co-accused;{{Cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-asaram-bapu-rape-case-rajasthan-hc-suspends-sentence-of-co-accused-grants-her-bail-2669571|title=Asaram Bapu rape case: Rajasthan HC suspends sentence of co-accused, grants her bail|date=29 September 2018|work=DNA India |access-date=30 September 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=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|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajashan-high-court-admits-appeal-against-conviction-of-asaram-1940191|title=Rajashan High Court Admits Appeal Against Conviction of Asaram|work=NDTV |access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021312/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajashan-high-court-admits-appeal-against-conviction-of-asaram-1940191|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}} however, on 23 September 2019, Asaram's plea for suspension was rejected.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/asaram-bapu-jodhpur-hc-rape-case-1602214-2019-09-23|title=Jodhpur HC dismisses Asaram Bapu's plea challenging life term in rape case|date=23 September 2019|website=India Today|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072358/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/asaram-bapu-jodhpur-hc-rape-case-1602214-2019-09-23|archive-date=11 December 2019}} Appeal said the trial court ignored many facts in its decision, "The present case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media."{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 July 2018|title=Media Trial|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703045407/https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html |archive-date=3 July 2018 |access-date=|website=}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=trial by media|url=https://scroll.in/latest/885076/asaram-appeals-against-rape-conviction-in-rajasthan-high-court-alleges-trial-by-media|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104225419/https://scroll.in/latest/885076/asaram-appeals-against-rape-conviction-in-rajasthan-high-court-alleges-trial-by-media |archive-date=4 January 2019 |access-date=|website=}} A separate appeal on the premises of the merits of the judgement, is ongoing.{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/23/asaram-bapus-plea-for-suspension-of-sentence-dismissed-by-jodhpur-hc-2037851.html|title=Asaram Bapu's plea for suspension of sentence dismissed by Jodhpur HC|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072357/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/23/asaram-bapus-plea-for-suspension-of-sentence-dismissed-by-jodhpur-hc-2037851.html|archive-date=11 December 2019|url-status=live}}

Asaram continues to evoke blind devotion from his followers, who believe that he has been the victim of a conspiracy.{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/the-following/|title=The Following|date=2013-09-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-27}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/asaram-verdict-ashram-quiet-followers-indignant/articleshow/63916067.cms |title=Asaram verdict: Ashram quiet, followers indignant |date=25 April 2018 |agency=Press Trust of India |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=2019-12-27}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/asarams-son-narayan-sai-arrested-gujarat-police-get-one-day-remand_894234.html|title=Asaram's son Narayan Sai arrested, Gujarat Police get one-day remand|work=Zee News|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=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|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|date=4 December 2013}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-police-arrest-asaram-bapus-wife-daughter-release-them-1939662|title=Police arrest Asaram Bapu's wife, daughter; release them|work=DNA India |access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713050405/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-police-arrest-asaram-bapus-wife-daughter-release-them-1939662|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live|date=23 December 2013}}{{cite news |title=I fear for my life, says prime witness in rape cases against Asaram, Narayan Sai|url=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 |work=India Today |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=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|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}} In January 2023, a Gandhi Nagar court convicted him of this charge and sentence him to life imprisonment.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-31 |title=Asaram Bapu gets life imprisonment in rape case |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/gujarat-court-awards-life-imprisonment-to-godman-asaram-bapu-imposes-fine-of-50000-for-repeated-rape-and-sexual-exploitation/article66453821.ece |access-date=2023-08-03 |issn=0971-751X}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/narayan-sai-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-rape-731472.html|title=Narayan Sai sentenced to life imprisonment for rape|author=Satish Jha|date=April 30, 2019|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430140452/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/narayan-sai-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-for-rape-731472.html|archive-date=30 April 2019|url-status=live}}

From 2014 to 2015, there have been numerous attacks against various witnesses and relatives of victims, in the Asaram case.{{cite news |url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/husband-of-woman-who-accused-narayan-sai-of-rape-attacked-1404435.html|title=Husband of woman who accused Narayan Sai of rape attacked|work=oneindia.com|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713045812/http://www.oneindia.com/india/husband-of-woman-who-accused-narayan-sai-of-rape-attacked-1404435.html|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live|date=28 February 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/witness-in-asaram-rape-case-attacked/|title=Witness in Asaram rape case attacked|date=12 March 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305201940/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/witness-in-asaram-rape-case-attacked/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/five-held-for-attack-on-witnesses-in-rape-cases-against-asaram-sai/99/|title=Five held for attack on witnesses in rape cases against Asaram, Sai|date=19 March 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=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/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-key-witness-in-narayan-sai-case-attacked-in-haryana/|title=Guard left, 6th Asaram case witness attacked|date=14 May 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705085848/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-key-witness-in-narayan-sai-case-attacked-in-haryana/|archive-date=5 July 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-more-witness-in-asaram-case-is-shot-at/|title=Another Asaram Bapu case witness shot at, seventh attack till now|date=11 July 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712000126/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-more-witness-in-asaram-case-is-shot-at/|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last=Teltumbde|first=Anand|author-link=Anand Teltumbde|date=2013|title=Who Are Behind India's Asarams?|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2013/41/margin-speak/who-are-behind-indias-asarams.html|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=48|issue=41|pages=10–11|issn=0012-9976|jstor=23528426|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-rape-murder-prostitution-hawala-the-shady-world-of-asaram--son/20131204.htm|title=Rape, murder, prostitution, hawala: The shady world of Asaram & son|website=Rediff|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amrut-Prajapati-witness-against-Asaram-succumbs-to-bullet-wounds/articleshow/36363482.cms|title=Amrut Prajapati, witness against Asaram, succumbs to bullet wounds|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805025322/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amrut-Prajapati-witness-against-Asaram-succumbs-to-bullet-wounds/articleshow/36363482.cms|archive-date=5 August 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Vanzara-protected-Asaram-like-a-wall/articleshow/24067037.cms|title=Vanzara protected Asaram like a wall|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611161728/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Vanzara-protected-Asaram-like-a-wall/articleshow/24067037.cms|archive-date=11 June 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/asaram-is-alive-because-of-my-husband-my-husband-is-dead-because-of-him/99/|title=Asaram is alive because of my husband, my husband is dead because of him|date=24 June 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=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/|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-case-5-things-to-know-about-akhil-gupta-shot-dead/1/412780.html|title=Asaram case: 5 things to know about Akhil Gupta who was shot dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=10 August 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-say-not-ruling-out-asaram-link-to-well-planned-murder-of-rape-witness/99/|title=Looking at all possible angles, not ruling out Asaram link to 'well-planned' murder: police|date=14 January 2015|work=The Indian Express|url-status=live|archive-url=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/|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=12 July 2015}} 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.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em|refs=}}

{{Commons category|Asaram}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asaram}}

Category:1941 births

Category:Living people

Category:Indian Sindhi people

Category:Indian people convicted of rape

Category:People from Shaheed Benazirabad District

Category:Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment

Category:Indian rapists

Category:Hindu religious leaders convicted of crimes

Category:Scholars from Ahmedabad

Category:Prisoners and detainees of India