Bhopal: On the heels of life term being awarded to Asharam Bapu by the Jodhpur court on Wednesday, the followers of Bapu in an ashram in the city disagreed with the verdict. They told Free Press that their ‘Bapuji’ was ‘innocent’ and claimed that he had been framed by politicians.They affirmed their belief in him and God.
Archana Parey, 33, homemaker
Media is giving wrong information. I would not accept that Bapuji has been awarded life imprisonment by the court unless the head of the ashram confirm it. If he is punished by the court, I will lose trust in judiciary. I came, from Kolar, with my 10-year-old son at 7am to pray for him. We will keep fasting till the decision is out.I took Diksha from him in 1998.
Raksha Parihar, 21, student, M Sc. MVM College
It is a wrong decision. I don’t think that an elderly man like Bapuji can commit such a crime. It is all about politics. If actors, like Salman Khan and politicians are come out of jail in two days, why not Bapuji. I live in MP Nagar. I am here with my brother since 11am to pray for him. We are his followers for the last 15 years.
Rajkumari Mishra, 70, homemaker
Bapuji ko kutchh nahi ho sakta. We believe that he will soon be released from the jail. He is innocent. He has been trapped. He helps poor and we are praying for his well being. We came here at 9am.We took Diskha from him in 1996.
Jaya Mishra, 17, student
The allegation of sexual assault against him is false. My brother and I study in class 12, in Hindi medium school, affiliated to MPBS in the ashram. We have been studying here since class 1.
Rahul Harod, 21, an unemployed
We have been praying for past 5 days. I came from Runja village in Ratlam on April 21.Bapuji is innocent. It is a conspiracy against him. Government as well as court is doing injustice to him. I have faith in god not in court. And he will be released soon.
