The Gujarat government has moved forward with plans to use the land of Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Ahmedabad as part of its infrastructure for India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. This decision involves acquiring approximately 650 acres of land near the Narendra Modi Stadium, which will be developed into a sports complex to strengthen Ahmedabad’s case for hosting the prestigious global event. The government is preparing a master plan for the creation of the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, Olympic Village, and various sports facilities. The land for these developments will be sourced from three ashrams, including the one owned by Asaram. The self-styled godman, who was convicted of rape in 2013, is currently serving a life sentence in Jodhpur prison, Rajasthan. According to a report by The Times of India, citing sources close to the development, the process of acquiring land from Asaram’s Sant Shree Asharam Ashram, along with the other two ashrams—Bhartiya Seva Samaj and Sadashiv Pragya Mandal—is already underway. These ashrams will be relocated, and alternative sites will be provided to the trusts that manage them, as per the plan. A three-member committee, including the Ahmedabad municipal commissioner, the district collector, and the CEO of AUDA (Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority), has been assigned to oversee the land acquisition process. India’s Olympic Ambitions India’s official bid to host the 2036 Olympics began in October 2024, when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a Letter of Intent, expressing the country’s interest in hosting the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has since pledged his full support to the bid, stating that the government is committed to securing the hosting rights. “We are pushing for hosting rights of the 2036 Olympics; it will take Indian sports to new heights,” he said in January. While India is considered a leading contender for the 2036 Olympics, it faces competition from other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Poland, Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar, Hungary, Turkey, Mexico, and Egypt. The final decision on who will host the 2036 Games will be made in 2026, after the election of the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ALSO READ: India Enters Race To Host 2030 Commonwealth Games, With Olympics 2036 Ambitions