Asaram's photo worship at Surat hospital sparks row

The hospital management clarified that permission was granted to disciples of the self-styled godman only for distributing fruits to patients.

A controversy erupted after followers of Asaram Bapu, who is serving life sentences in two cases of rape, purportedly performed a puja ritual by putting up his photo on the premises of Surat Civil Hospital.

Asaram is convicted in two cases of rape.(PTI)

The hospital management clarified on Tuesday that permission was granted to disciples of the self-styled godman only for distributing fruits to patients. However, no permission was awarded for erecting a photo and doing aarti (waving a lit lamp).

The hospital drew flak after a video of the incident went viral.

"This is wrong. It shouldn't have happened. One of our staff members had called me and sought permission for distributing fruits to patients by followers of Asaram, to which we agreed. However, no permission was taken for putting up the photo and doing pooja on the hospital premises," said Dr Ketan Naik, Resident Medical Officer.

The incident occurred on Sunday near the gate of the stem cell building.

The administration has since removed a security guard who was posted at the gate, Naik said.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.