Fact Check: Asaram Bapu dons Lord Rama costume after coming out on bail? No, video is old
A video showing self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in the costume of Lord Rama is going viral on social media.
By - K Sherly Sharon
Claim:The video shows convicted self-styled godman Asaram Bapu dressing up as Lord Rama after being released from jail on bail for six months.
Fact:The claim is false. The video has been circulating online at least since 2012. When contacted, his ashram staff confirmed the same.
Hyderabad: The Gujarat High Court on November 6 granted a six-month bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, citing his advanced age and deteriorating heart condition. Asaram Bapu is serving a life sentence after being convicted in a rape case from 2013.
In this context, a video showing Asaram Bapu, dressed as Lord Rama, is going viral on social media.
Sharing the video on X, a user wrote, “The people of India are so foolish that the court has granted 6 months of bail on parole to the rapist Asaram Bapu, who is serving a sentence in a rape case. Foolish people are celebrating Diwali in joy over the release of rapist Asaram Bapu. The public should stay away from such hypocritical gurus. In this video, Asaram Bapu has disguised himself as Lord Ram.” (Translated from Hindi) (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video is from 2012.
Using a reverse image search, we found the same footage uploaded to YouTube on October 22. The title reads, ‘Pujya Asharam ji Bapu Celebrating Dussehra (Old Video ) - Dussehra (Vijayadasami) 24th Oct 2012’
The viral video clip starts at the 1:01 minute mark in the YouTube video and ends at the 2:10 minute mark.
What did the Asaram Bapu Ashram say about the video?
We reached out to Asaram Bapu Ashram, and the staff of the Ashram stated that the video is at least 12 to 13 years old.
Responding to whether Asaram has taken part in any recent celebrations, Vinayak, a staffer at the ashram, told NewsMeter, “Bapuji’s health condition is not good at present. He is not allowed and not even capable of doing any programme en masse. There are police personnel with him 24x7 to monitor him.”
Asaram reportedly received a grand welcome from his supporters upon his arrival at the ashram. Celebrations included events like the showering of flowers on his car, along with an aarti that was performed as he entered the ashram.
The Gujarat High Court granted Asaram bail on medical terms. Asaram was directed against holding gatherings, delivering sermons, or taking part in religious activity. He is to remain under police supervision, report to local authorities, and follow prescribed treatment.
Therefore, it is clear that the video showing Asaram Bapu in the costume of Lord Rama is old. NewsMeter concludes that the claim is false.
