Controversial Swami does a disappearing act

SURAT, Feb 3: Swami Aseemanand, a Vaghai-based sadhu who was allegedly a principal figure in the reconversion of Christian tribals to Hin...

SURAT, Feb 3: Swami Aseemanand, a Vaghai-based sadhu who was allegedly a principal figure in the reconversion of Christian tribals to Hinduism in the Dangs, is said to have moved out of the district following warnings from the authorities.

Though the district authorities had not taken any action against him, it was reportedly made clear to him that his presence was unwanted and that if he continued his reconversion practices, he would be in trouble.

On a query from Express Newsline, District Collector J P Gupta confirmed that the Swami had left his ashram, the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad at Waghai. The ashram had been in the eye of a storm ever since the anti-Christian attacks gathered momentum in the district.

After coming to Waghai a couple of years ago, the Swami had spearheaded the formation of Bajrang Dal units in every village. The recent violence against the Christian community was reportedly led by activists groomed by the Swami.

The Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, an organisation comprising mostly tribals, is an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, of which the Swami is a national president. In Dangs, he had been associated with the Hindu Jagran Manch and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He also attended the December 25 rally at the invitation of the Hindu Jagran Manch.

While local leaders of Hindu Jagran Manch and Vishwa Hindu parishad were arrested by the police for instigating violence, there was no police case registered against the Swami. Though even district authorities knew that in Dangs it was the Swami who was pulling the strings. Christian leaders had been complaining to the authorities about the Swami8217;s activities.

Talking to Express Newsline, the collector said the Swami had not been driven out of Dangs but the message had been sent across. 8220;I8217;m told he has not been seen in the district for the past 15 days,8221;, he said. 8220;Neither community wants any interference from outside. It is a local problem and we want to solve it locally.8221;

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Asked if Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Pradip Patil 8212; a Maharashtrian 8212; would be asked to leave the district, the collector said 8220;No. Patil has been residing in Ahwa for the last 15 years.8221;

Though some locals disputed Gupta8217;s contention by saying the Swami had been seen in the district in the past four days, other observers said the authorities8217; decision to 8220;drive out8221; the Swami could trigger a fresh round of unrest in the Dangs, as he had had a considerable following in the district.