Krishna Tirat questions protests over Asaram's arrest

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Krishna Tirath today expressed surprise over some people choosing to protest against the arrest of self styled godman Asaram Bapu who has been accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in Jodhpur.

Denouncing the incident, Tirath said, "Given the spiritual and traditional ethos of our country, such a person cannot be called a saint.

"Whatever has happened is wrong and shameful and commom people should think twice before putting their trust on such people. Even those who are protesting should know for whom they are doing such things. He has indulged in such a degrading act," said Tirath.

Scores of supporters of Asaram Bapu had staged a protest at Jantar Manatar demanding his immediate release yesterday claiming he is innocent and was being targeted.

72-year-old Asaram has been accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram here. He was arrested and remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a Jodhpur court yesterday.