India's Dangerous Devotion: The Enduring Power of Criminal Godmen Despite Convictions

Sep 25, 2025 03:59 pm CST

This article examines India's troubling relationship with convicted "godmen" like Asaram Bapu and Ram Rahim Singh, who continue to command devotion despite serious criminal convictions. It explores how spiritual authority combined with political protection creates dangerous power dynamics, allowing religious figures to evade justice while maintaining devoted followings even from government institutions, raising serious questions about institutional ethics and the consequences of blind faith in Indian society.