Self proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu on Monday kicked off a controversy by holding the Delhi gang-rape victim responsible for the crime.

He commented that the girl should have called the accused as "brothers" and should have "begged" them to stop hurting her.

"Only 5-6 people are not the culprits. The victim daughter is as guilty as her rapists... She should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop... This could have saved her dignity and life," various media reports quoted him as saying.

"Can one hand clap? I don't think so," he added.

He also said that the accused should not be given harsher punishment claiming that the law could be misused. "We have often seen such laws are made to be misutilised... Dowry harassment law is the biggest example," he said.

The controversial comment by Asaram Bapu comes at a time when the whole nation is demanding the enactment of strict punishment for sex-crime offenders.

His comment has triggered massive public outbursts on social media. Here is what the Twitterati has to say about Asaram Bapu's statement:

"According to Asaram Bapu, no need of pepper spray or tazers. Just say to rapists- "hey you're my brother!" and VOILA, no rape!"

"Asaram Bapu Logic: Carry Rakhis instead of pepper sprays. That way you won't get raped by your own "Bhaiyyas". How innovative. Indeed."

"Victim should have called culprits brothers and begged before them to stop. Can one hand clap?"- Asaram Bapu | It can slap. Shall I show u?"

"Asaram Bapu trending worldwide...achievement which Mukherjee and Bhagwat could not get...now we know who wins the stupidity award."

"Am clasping my hands together and begging Asaram Bapu - "Brother. Please stop."

"Dear Asaram bapu, This "Bhaiyya" trick doesn't even work with Auto-walas. "Bhaiyya, Juhu chaloge?" "No""