As i write this, i simultaneously see the news channels showing the same old story revolving round the same person. Surprisingly, it happens to be the one about a spiritual guru followed not by tens and thousands, but by millions and hundreds of millions. Asaram Bapu, at 72 is accused of a crime which the Indian ears are used to hear of. It pretty much shows in there callous reactions towards the news. Ironically, he "enlightens" his followers to overcome the same temptations which he has fallen prey to.
I certainly have no interest in playing Word War, describing what he has done. What i am looking at is his sheer power. The man, as told in the news is sitting over a Rupees 125,000 crore empire backed by countless followers and there never ending follower-ship and devotion. The man certainly has an applaud worthy influential power that shouts when we look at his followers sticking with him despite the allegations made. The Police officer refuses to file an F.I.R. against him in Jodhpur, India because he sees no ground in the report. He might not be corrupt but under deep influence of Asaram bapu. The "Rutba" of this human is at display when news channels tell of him being sitting free in his ashram consecutively for three days after the news broke out. He enters the Airport to board his flight and disappears, claimed Under Ground. When Asaram succumbs to the pressure surrendering to the Police, the court passes a 14 day Jail to him. And while all this is happening, his followers are defending him in hovered baritones on news debates.
Asaram is not an exception and falls in equal proximity and probability of committing the crime as any other person. OR, he could have fallen prey to the mighty power of Politicians for whom, he by mistake have said something. Let us sum it up this way. The world is not a Batman World, Gotham city, but here too every body is a two-face. One for the society and one for the self.
I am reminded of two lines from my poem that happen to be in perfect synchrony with the situation.
And they are:
Chehre pe chehre pe chehra baithe
Mere chaaron or mera pehra baithe
चेहरे पे चेहरे पे चेहरा बैठे
मेरे चारों ओर मेरा पहरा बैठे
Dimpesh Rajani

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