Mohan Guruswamy, head Centre for Policy Alternatives, has posted on his Facebook a video story which the top BJP leadership, former and current, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would rather not be reminded of.
In August 2013, Gujarat’s self-styled godman Asaram Bapu was sent to jail on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old school girl.
On January 30 this year, the Supreme Court rejected the kul guru’s seventh application for bail.
What’s more, the apex court ordered that a fresh FIR be registered against the 74-year-old Asaram for attaching a false medical certificate in support of his bail plea on medical grounds. In addition, he was fined Rs 1 lakh for filing a “frivolous petition”.
There used to be a time however when the high and the mighty supplicated before the man now in prison.
A good example of this is the video posted by Mohan Guruswamy where former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, former home minister and BJP president, Lal Krishna Advani, former Minister for Human Resources Development, Murli Manohar Joshi, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh may be seen paying their “humble tributes” to Asaram.
While the godman's numerous followers continue to feel aggrieved, there are several reasons why getting a bail will not be easy for Asaram.
To being with, the new enactment following the 'Nirbhaya' case has stringent provisions for sexual offences. Besides, the clout that he enjoys leaves open the possibility of his being able to manipulate the case. Even with him in jail, nine witnesses were attacked while three have died. Since then other witnesses have been provided police protection.