How Sant Rampal is trying to come down to earth
After coming under the media scanner for his "Satlok Ashram" where ungodly secrets spilled out from his once-faithful sadhvis and a bloody stand-off between him and the police last year, controversial Haryana-based godman Rampal is looking to win back the public sympathy by projecting himself as a martyr.
Rampal, 63, was arrested on November 19, 2014 after a fortnight long stand-off between police and his 15,000 supporters from his Satlok Ashram located in Barwala town of Hisar district of Haryana. He is facing attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal detention and rioting cases.
But now the godman is desperate to shake off the tag and win back the public support. He recently accused Hisar jailer Shamsher Singh of demanding bribes and harassing him. In fact, he has now requested the court to shift him to another jail as he claims he is facing threats to his life. Rampal's supporters have also launched a campaign to garner sympathy for their "Satguru" who they say has been "falsely" implicated in various cases. Sources add that these supporters are touring various places to campaign for the 63-year-old godman. Haryana Police has recently arrested some followers with literature that was being circulated throughout the state.
It's not just his Indian followers that are determined to save Rampal. The godman's NRI supporters have also launched a website to voice their concerns for Rampal. These supporters not only update the website on a daily basis but have also launched a campaign to prove Rampal's innocence.
"The allegation that Sant Rampal missed 43 court appearances in four years is baseless. He has been implicated in various false cases after the Karontha Ashram episode in 2006. He was granted bail in 2008 and then had been attending court hearings regularly. He was then granted permanent exemption from appearance by the court after an application was filed in the court. Hence he was not required to appear in person in the court," claims the website.
The biggest charge against the godman has been the fact that he had taken some of his followers' hostage which had then led to the stand-off with the police. But the website controversially claims otherwise: "No one was held hostage in Satlok Ashram Barwala. People had come there of their own free will. Even a day after when 'Satguru' surrendered there were approximately 5,000 - 6,000 people present in the ashram. Had they been held hostage, all of them would have fled before Satguru Rampalji surrendered."
It has also denied that children and women were used as a shield to avoid police action and instead blames cops for twisting facts and creating sensationalism. Meanwhile, the godman has told the court that the police have slapped outrageous cases against him, but have so far not put up even a single challan in the court.
Acting on Rampal's plea, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice to the Haryana government and has directed it to file a reply by September 28, when the case will come up for hearing again.