Protesting Asaram Bapu’s arrest in Indore, his followers led by members of the Yoga Vedanta Samiti staged a demonstration by blocking the National Highway-5 at Palasuni on the outskirts of the city on Monday.
Hundreds of followers of Bapu wearing white clothes and holding placards and banners along with photographs of their spiritual guru squatted on the roads stalling traffic on both sides of the NH-5 at the Palasuni bypass near the Kuakhai Bridge demanding immediate release of the god man, who has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram. The followers asserted that he has been falsely implicated in the case.
Traffic at the NH-5 came to a standstill as the agitators occupied the roads from 12.45 pm to 1.45 pm chanting slogans supporting Bapu. later, the traffic squads and local police personnel led by Bhubaneswar DCP Nitinjit Singh swung into action to clear the roads.Bapu’s disciples accused the media and the police of tarnishing the image of their guru though their statements lack truth.
“It is unfortunate that a spiritual leader faces such an allegation. They are using a minor girl to target Guruji. Political leaders are also trying to gain mileage by accusing the spiritual leader,” said a disciple, adding, “We will intensify our movement in different ways demanding Bapu’s release.”