Surat Civil Hospital in Controversy Over Asaram Aarti

Surat | Gujarat —  In a shocking display of what many are calling “blind devotion,” doctors, nurses, and security staff at the New Civil Hospital (NCH) in Surat were seen bowing their heads and performing aarti before the photograph of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence in multiple rape cases.

The incident, which took place on September 22 at the entrance gate of the hospital’s stem cell building, has sparked outrage among citizens and rights activists. Videos of the aarti, which included bhajans and chants, have since gone viral.

No Permission, Authorities Claim Ignorance

When asked about the aarti being conducted in the government hospital premises, Superintendent Dr. Dharitri Parmar denied any knowledge of the event. “I am sorry, I am on leave and out of station,” she told reporters. Sources, however, revealed that the event was organized by a group of Asaram devotees inside the hospital campus without official permission.

“It is shocking that instead of Mataji or any deity during Navratri, hospital staff chose to worship a man convicted of raping minors and women,” said a senior social activist in Surat, who demanded strict action against those involved.

A Doctor Leading the Ritual

Eyewitnesses confirmed that Dr. Jigisha Patadiya, a senior pediatrician at NCH, was among those actively participating in the ritual. Nurses and duty officers joined in, while even hospital security staff bowed before the photograph of Asaram.

“This was not just an informal act by one or two people. It looked organized and deliberate,” said a local resident who recorded the video.

RMO Steps In After Alert

Civil RMO Dr. Ketan Naik clarified that he had only approved fruit distribution for patients, not any religious event.

“On Sunday, an employee asked me about distributing fruits, and I allowed it with the CMO’s permission. The next day, I got a call that an aarti for Asaram Bapu was being held. I immediately ordered the photo and setup removed. Dr. Bharat Patel went in person and stopped all activities,” Naik said.

He added that the security guard involved was dismissed on the spot. “We have issued strict instructions—no religious or unauthorized events will be tolerated in hospital premises. In the future, written permission will be mandatory even for fruit distribution,” Naik said.

A Serial Convict

Asaram, once hailed as a spiritual guru with millions of followers, has been convicted in multiple rape cases. In 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping a minor. In 2023, a Gandhinagar court handed him another life term for raping a woman from Surat.

Earlier this month, the Gujarat High Court refused to extend his temporary bail, stating that the Rajasthan High Court had already ordered him to surrender. On August 27, Asaram returned to Jodhpur Central Jail.

Public Outrage Mounts

The hospital event has ignited a fierce backlash in Surat. Citizens and women’s rights groups have condemned the act as an insult to rape survivors.

“A government hospital is meant to heal patients, not glorify convicted rapists,” said Meena Shah, a Surat-based women’s activist. “This shows how deep blind faith still runs, even among educated professionals.”

Political observers also questioned the administration’s lax oversight. “If such incidents can happen openly in Civil Hospital, one shudders to imagine the influence Asaram still wields,” a local journalist commented.

Questions on Accountability

The incident has placed the Civil Hospital administration under scrutiny. Critics say the superintendent’s absence and denial reflect a culture of evading responsibility.

“This is not a small lapse. Doctors and nurses are role models. By worshipping a rapist in uniform, they have sent a dangerous message,” said a retired senior doctor from Surat.