Media up against Asaram, enraged by attacks by supporters

Jodhpur, Aug 31: Asaram and his supporters are digging their own graves. First the self-styled godman did not appear for the investigation at the Jodhpur police station, then he went undercover playing cat and mouse race with the police. And now the recent news of his supporters pelting stones on media personnel and their vans, has further cornered the godman.

Reporting the updates of Asaram's case was IBN7's reporter Bhawani Deora, when he was suddenly attacked by Asaram's supporters outside his ashram. Surprisingly, despite promises by the police that there would be tight security outside the ashram, no police official could be seen.

The journalist and a video journalist were finally saved by villagers. Menawhile, Jodhpur DCP Ajay Lamba said that additional police team has been rushed to the spot.

The media has its cudgels up

Enraged by the incident, the Broadcast Editors' Association wants strict action against the godman and his men. "We demand strict action against Asaram and his followers. The protection of journalists should be ensured," said NK Singh, General Secretary of Broadcast Editors' Association.

The political circuit too condemns the act. "Those people who are the followers of a religious preacher who preaches peace would react in a manner which is so violent. There can be no provocation for any individual for not liking their views, I am sure the Rajasthan government will take action," Manish Tewari, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting said.

This is the second instance of his followers attacking the media

This is not the first time

Asaram and his men are not spiritual leaders, but goons in disguise; this has been proved several times in the past. While physical assault is not new in the ashram (P.S: the vedio going viral on the Internet, which shows one of his followers manhandling a little girl in the crowd), their true colours have been recorded in the camera too.

On Friday also,a similar instance happened when his supporters bashed up the media at the New Delhi airport, smashing TV cameras and other equipment. As a result, Asaram could not catch the flight to Delhi after Gujarat High court's denial of anticipatory bill to him.

Asaram's fate

Lies in the hands of the people now. People want him to be punished, add to it the anger and the frustration of the police, running after him between states. And now the media too is hell bent on exposing him in the best possile way it can.

With all this, Asaram has no hopes, but to pray for himself.