The rise and fall of the Indian Godmen, the celebrity gurus embroiled in rape allegations

On April 25 Asaram Bapu, a feted guru whose followers extend around the world, became the latest of India’s so-called Godmen to be sentenced for rape – bringing his celebrity status crashing down to earth and once again leaving the country poised for violence on the streets.

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The 77-year-old, who has 400 ashrams around the world where he taught meditation and yoga, was given a life sentence for raping a 16-year-old daughter of one of his followers. In a case that bears worrying hallmarks of similar assaults, the girl was assaulted while her parents waited chanting his prayers in the belief she was being given "spiritual lessons".

Although tension remains high a week after Bapu’s trial ended, the…

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