What is the worst flight experience that you have had? Horrible co-passengers who occupy your space, getting the aisle-facing seat, bad food or worse a crying, bawling baby? Well, this is nothing in comparison to the trauma faced by passengers of Delhi bound flight 9W 2552.
The passengers were in for the worst experience of their lives when they discovered that self-styled ‘godman’ and currently a rape-accused Asaram Bapu, would be travelling with them in the same flight. The ride could have been smooth, had it not been for his supporters who had booked half of the aircraft and gave people a hard time.They rushed to touch his feet soon after the flight took off from Jodhpur and the aircraft began to tilt back and forth owing to the commotion. Immediately, the pilot asked the passengers to sit down and fasten their seatbelts.
The flight was delayed by over two hours because he could not make it on time. He was accompanied by 10 policemen and India Today reported that apparently Asaram nudged the passengers to trouble the policemen on board. However, after the situation went out of hand, Asaram intervened and requested the passengers to settle down. When the crew asked them to fasten their seatbelts the supporters replied by saying, “Seat belt ki kya zaroorat jab swayam bhagwaan hamare saath hain? (What is the need of a seat belt when God Himself is travelling with us?)”. People also complained that the staff refused to turn the ‘air-conditioning’ in the craft because of the ‘old age’ and ‘frail health’ of Asaram Bapu.
Upon landing, Asaram threw another tantrum by asserting that he would not get off the aircraft without his supporters by his side. The police agreed to do so but the trouble came soon after the the airport staff too rushed to seek blessings of the tainted godman. The police had to use force to disperse the airport staff and supporters. Sources said the police would also file a report about the incident and submit it to the court.
Asaram was flown down to Delhi for medical examinations at AIIMS.
