The comment was slammed by India's two main parties, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Such comments should be condemned as much as possible,” Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said.
He was backed by party colleague Rashid Alvi who said: “Political leaders, including religious leaders, must give serious thought before they speak out.”
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the comments were “regrettable and deeply disturbing and painful”.
“We expect Asaram Bapuji to kindly introspect, reflect and withdraw the statement,” Prasad said.
