Didn't blame victim, media twisted my words: Asaram

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is in the eye of a storm over his remarks on the Delhi gang rape victim, on Tuesday said he was quoted out of context. He also announced a reward of 50 lakh to anyone who could prove that he blamed the victim for the horrific crime.

Bapu, who had evoked nation-wide angry outbursts over his comments that the 23-year-old para-medic could have saved her honour and life by pleading for mercy before her tormentors and telling them that she was like their sister, is camping at the Maha Kumbh congregation in Allahabad.

"I have been quoted out of context. The poor girl was young enough to be my own granddaughter," he said.

"How can I ever be so insensitive as to blame her for the very tragedy that had stricken her? The media reports have twisted my words. I will give a reward of Rs 50 lakh to anybody who is able to prove that I had blamed the rape victim herself for the heinous crime," Bapu said at his discourse. 

Throwing his weight behind Asaram, Vsihwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal said, "A slander campaign is on against him at the behest of foreign powers who want to destroy Hindu culture."

"Foreign powers have been pumping a lot of money into the country to damage Hinduism," said the VHP leader, who visited Asaram's camp

In an apparent reference to the protests planned by some organisations against Asaram, Singhal said, "If anybody dares to indulge in any mischief, he will not be spared by the VHP."