'Double standard' BJP trying to defend Asaram Bapu, says Digvijay Singh

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Sunday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for trying to defend self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu in connection with the sexual assault case, and said his supporters who had attacked media personnel shared BJP's ideology.

"I condemn the attack on media by Asaram Bapu's followers. They are of the same ideology as BJP, who cannot tolerate criticism. I am amazed by the attitude of Sushma Swaraj. She has been active on women issues, but she has remained silent on the issue of Asaram Bapu. It demonstrates the utter double standards practice of BJP. I'd like to know who is not supporting Asaram Bapu in the BJP. BJP is trying to defend him, as they share an old relationship with him," he said.

The self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who was arrested late on Saturday night from his ashram in Indore, brought to Jodhpur, where he is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

According to television reports, the 75-year-old spent the night with police escorts at the airport lounge in Indore. He is being flown on a commercial plane to Jodhpur via Delhi.

Ahead of his arrival, a strong posse of security personnel was deployed at the airport to prevent his large legion of supporters from staging big shows of support.

His ashram was sealed yesterday after some of his followers attacked the media for reporting that his arrest was imminent.

His arrest came two days after he missed a deadline issued by the Jodhpur police to appear before it for questioning. His son Narayan Sai had claimed yesterday that the 75-year-old was unwell and could not be interrogated.

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 the Chhindwara gurukul in Madhya Pradesh, the hostel warden and the main caretaker of Asaram, who was present at Manai Ashram in Jodhpur on August 15, when the alleged sexual assault took place there.

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