Asaram Bapu and 'fanatic' followers should be arrested: Shivanand Tiwari

Janata Dal (United) leader Shivanand Tiwari on Thursday demanded the arrest of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his 'fanatic' followers, and said the protests outside JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav's residence is a dangerous warning sign for Indian democracy.

"The government should go in with full force and all preparation. The reaction from his followers and the protests outside Sharad Yadav's residence speak volumes. The government should go in with full force to arrest him and put him in jail," Tiwari said.

Commenting on protests outside Sharad Yadav's residence, after the JD(U) chief made a statement in Parliament saying that there is no difference between the Mumbai gang rape of a young photojournalist and the allegations leveled against Asaram Bapu and that both must be the same in the eyes of the law, Tiwari said: "The protests held outside Sharad Yadav's residence is a matter of concern and worry. These people are fanatic. When someone brings something up inside the House of Parliament and there are protests outside his residence-this is something new, it is a first. This is a dangerous trend setting in."

"I demand that the government takes strict action against whoever was protesting outside his residence, so that this does not become a trend. I am surprised that no one noticed this-neither the police nor the government. In one way, this is an attempt to put pressure on Parliament and gag them. This is the first time it's happened. This shows what kind of people these are," he added.

Yesterday, the self-styled godman indirectly targeted Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and accused them of leveling false accusations against him in connection with the sexual assault case of a minor.

"I don't want to oppose any party, but I've been told that all of this has been orchestrated by Madam and her son (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi). So, I said, let them do whatever they are doing," Asaram Bapu said.

In an immediate u-turn, when asked, by a reporter, if he was directly accusing Sonia Gandhi of playing a part in leveling the accusations, the self-styled godman said: "No, I don't accuse anyone. I am just saying what I heard, since you (the mediapersons) asked me the question."

According to sources, Rajasthan Police is unlikely to give more time to spiritual guru Asaram Bapu to appear for questioning in connection with a sexual assault case filed against him by a 16-year-old girl.

The girl, who is 16 years of age and from Uttar Pradesh, had made a complaint at a police station in the national capital on August 20, accusing Asaram Bapu of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur.

Asaram Bapu's son has defended his father in the sexual assault case, and has called the victim 'mentally unstable'.

Earlier, the victim had said in her statement to the police that she was threatened by Asaram Bapu to remain silent about the incident.

Asaram Bapu has been booked under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Besides the summons served on Asaram Bapu, notices have also been issued to the manager of Chhindwara gurukul in Madhya Pradesh, hostel warden and the main caretaker of Asaram, who was present at Manai ashram in Jodhpur with him on August 15, when the alleged sexual assault took place there.

The 16-year-old girl, who has accused the spiritual leader of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur, hails from Uttar Pradesh.

Asaram is likely to be arrested by a team on August 31, if he does not appear before the Jodhpur Police today.