Baba Ramdev advised spiritual leaders to follow the code of conduct set by Indian sages centuries ago.
The conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case has been lauded by yoga guru Ramdev who said such cases have brought embarrassment to religious figures.
"It is true that we are facing embarrassment for such cases which have surfaced in the past two-three years," Ramdev, while in Indore for a programme, said, according to news agency Press Trust of India.
A special CBI court yesterday sentenced Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in jail for raping two of his "gullible and blind followers" between 1999 and 2001, holding he acted like a "wild beast" who did not even spare his own "pious" female disciples.
The yoga guru, however, cautioned that the "entire saint tradition should not be seen in bad light if a religious figure is found guilty in a criminal case".
The 51-year-old ayurveda expert-turned-entrepreneur said, "There are still millions of saints in the country who are living a life full of honesty, purity and serving the common people."
He added, "Lord Ram is the greatest symbol of Indian culture. If there is any taint on a person bearing the name Ram, it only sullies the character of that particular person. It should not be associated with entire religion, sect, tradition or culture."
Baba Ramdev also has an advice for religious and spiritual leaders. He asked them to "follow the code of conduct set by Indian sages centuries ago".
However, the "Pitaji of Bling" had found strong support in BJP lawmaker Sakshi Maharaj, who before the Dera chief much-publicised sentencing had claimed that he was being "harassed".
"One person has complained of rape against Ram Rahim. Crores others believe he is God. Who do you think is right?" Sakshi Maharaj said, alleging a "conspiracy to defame not only Ram Rahim and other saints, but also Indian culture".