The incident took place during Navratri near the gate of the hospital’s Stem Cell Building. A controversy erupted after followers of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving life sentences in two rape cases, allegedly performed a puja by placing his photo inside Surat Civil Hospital. Hospital authorities said permission had only been given to distribute fruits, not to install Asaram’s photograph or perform rituals. A video of the incident soon went viral, drawing sharp criticism over blind faith in a man convicted of heinous crimes. Asaram, 83, is serving life sentences in two separate rape cases.