Asaram Bapu, whose real name was Bapu Shankar Lal Sharma, was a spiritual leader who rose to prominence in the 1990s with his simplistic and populist approach to spirituality. He claimed to possess supernatural powers and attracted a large following across India, particularly among the rural and semi-urban populations. His ashrams and spiritual centers became hubs for his devotees, who believed him to be a reincarnation of the Hindu god Shiva.