New anti-rape law may be misused: Asaram Bapu

Claiming that "anti-men" campaign is being driven following Delhi gang-rape incident, spiritual guru Asaram Bapu cautioned that any new law on crime against women may be misused by vested interests.

Faridabad (Haryana): Claiming that an "anti-men" campaign is being driven following the Delhi gang-rape incident, spiritual guru Asaram Bapu on Monday cautioned that any new law on crime against women may be misused by vested interests. "After the Delhi gang-rape incident, an anti-men campaign appears to be on. Women should be respected but no new law should be framed which can be misused by vested interests....," he said addressing his followers in Bhankari village here on outskirts of Delhi. He cited the anti-dowry Act and the SC/ST Act and claimed that they have also been misused. On the controversy over his remark on the Delhi gang-rape victim, the guru said, "I only meant that had even one of the six accused taken `diksha` (initiated into his teachings), the crime would not have occurred." He blamed the television channels "who get funding from abroad" for creating controversy over his remarks. "I am amused and I also pity them," Asaram said. PTI