Crowds throng Delhi to see religious leader Asaram Bapu

From the archive record

Thousands of people gather in New Delhi to get a glimpse of their religious leader Asaram Bapu. Asaram, born Asumal Thaumal Harpalani or Asumal Sirumalani on 17 April 1941, also known as Asaram Bapu is a godman from India. He preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious and claims Bhakti yoga, Gnana yoga and Karma yoga as influences. In early 1970, Asaram built his first ashram on 4 ha (10 acres) of land in Gujarat and began using the name Asaram Bapu. There are over 400 major and minor ashrams in India and abroad and numerous followers. Asaram has been involved in several controversies including his remarks on the 2012 Delhi gang rape, criminal cases filed against him involving land encroachment by his ashrams and a 2013 charge of sexual assault of a minor, he was arrested. Asaram's sp