Blind faith in spiritual leaders must end

This refers to the editorial, “Justice is done” (April 26). Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu rightly got his comeuppance as a special court in Jodhpur sentenced him to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor in 2013. The sentence is an eye-opener for all babas who commit the sin of rape with impunity. Asaram now becomes the second baba to be sentenced by a lower court on the same charges of rape of minors — the first being Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda who was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment last year.

It is ironical that many of his followers think the sentence as travesty of justice as Asaram, as per their version, stands framed by unscrupulous elements only to malign his reputation. It is even more saddening that former DIG of Gujarat DG Vanzara has come to the baba's rescue and termed the sentence as framed. Such is the effrontery of his followers that three of the eye witnesses were murdered, including a medical practitioner in Ahmedabad who had umpteen times revealed threat to his life.

It is a fact that many Indians follows spiritual leaders blindfoldedly, thinking they will lead them to salvation. But, actually, they amass a colossus property from the hard-earned money of these followers and use them to their own hilt. Asaram Bapu owns 400 ashrams throughout the country. Such ill-gotten property should be confiscated by the Government and the revenue obtained must be deposited in national coffers.