In a controversial move, Bhupindersinh Chudasama, the Education Minister of Gujarat, on Tuesday, 29 January, extended his “best wishes” to rape convict Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Sabarmati, in a letter written on his official letterhead.
Chudasama thanked the ashram for organising its annual ‘Matru-Pitru Pujan Divas’ on 14 February, and congratulated them for doing “great work in making young boys and girls and unmarried men and women better citizens of India”.
‘Matru-Pitru Pujan Divas’ is all about loving your parents – and is organised each year by Asaram Bapu’s ashram to curb westernisation of the Indian youth who believe in celebrating Valentine’s Day.
The letter, written in Gujarati, was doing rounds on Twitter on Tuesday.
When The Quint contacted Chudasama, he said it was “an extremely trivial matter”, and did not deserve any attention.
Ashram’s Ad Carries Asaram Bapu’s Photo
The ashram’s ad for the event not only carries a photo of Asaram Bapu, but also mentions that it has been inspired by him.
In April last year, a Jodhpur court had found Asaram Bapu guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl at his ashram, and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Asaram and his son Narayan Sai are also accused in a double rape case of two sisters in Gujarat, involving repeated sexual assault and illegal confinement.
Chudasama, in his letter, also mentions the need to pay respect to your guru.
“Those who serve their mother, father and guru will eventually earn a lot of respect for themselves. In Indian culture the sutra – Matru Devo Bhav, Pitru Devo Bhav and Acharya Devo Bhav – inspires everyone.”Bhupindersinh Chudasama’s letter
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