15-Year-Old Guru Slapped in Face by Shaving Cream Pie

DETROIT (UPI), - A bearded young man pulled a shaving cream pie out of a bouquet of roses and slapped it into guru Maharaj Ji's face, then said, "I always wanted to throw a pie in God's face."

The 15-year-old Indian guru was appearing before the Detroit Common Council at the time of the incident Tuesday. The council was considering a special testimonial resolution for him.

The shaving cream dripped down the guru's broad face and onto the front of his suit.

'Nothing Like Christ'

"This is probably nothing like the nails through Jesus Christ," the guru said.

The pie thrower identified himself as Pat Halley, 22, a reporter for the antiestablishment Detroit newspaper Fifth Estate. The guru is just a slick businessman," Halley said. "I always wanted to throw a pie in God's face, he said. "God represents the ultimate in authority and I represent the ultimate in disrespect for authority."

The guru, Halley said, "was radiating dollar signs of peace and love."

Apologizes to Assailant

Maharaj Ji said, "I just want to apologize to that person who did that to me. I do not want him arrested or hurt. If someone doesn't understand something, he cannot be responsible for what he does.

Halley escaped from the grasp of guards.

When Maharaj Ji returned to India last October from a tour of the United States - accompanied by several planeloads of American followers - Indian authorities confiscated more than $50,000 in cash and jewelry from him.