Shock grips Aseemanand’s followers at his Dangs base

Swami was one of the trustees of Sabri Mata Sewa Samithi Trust formed for building a temple at Subir village in the Dangs. A veteran BJP leader from Navsari,Jayenti Kewat,had helped him in building the temple by collecting funds from businessmen in Surat and Navsari. Aseemanand also played a key role in organising the Sabri Kumbh fair at Subir village in 2006,which many said was a re-conversion exercise.

Kewat was president of the Trust from 2006 to 2009. Later,when Aseemanand’s name figured in connection with the Malegaon blast,he went underground and the entire body was dissolved.

A new body was formed comprising Aseemanand’s close associates including Vijay Patel,the BJP MLA from the Dangs,Nirmala Kishor Gamit,Ramni Puwar,Phoolchand Kokni,Kalu Gayekwad and a few others.

At present,the president of the Trust is Swami Jagdev Ramji of Chhattisgarh,who is also president of All India Vanwasi Kalyan Ashram.

“Swami came to Dangs in 1996 and had stayed in Kangadiamal village. He created a good image among tribals and even learnt Dangi language. He was truly a religious man. He had brought back many tribals to the Hindu fold after they were converted into Christianity,” said Nirmala Kishor Gavit,one of the trustees.

“We have worked with Swamiji for long and roamed with him in villages for years. He is a pious man and worked for the uplift of tribals,” he said.