JOIN USA helpless Haryana government on Monday yet again failed to produce a defiant and self-styled “godman” Sant Rampal before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh, amid reports suggesting that he has “moved to another location” outside his well-protected ashram in Hisar.
The High Court, while issuing fresh warrants on Monday, directed state police to ensure that 63-year-old Rampal is produced in court before on Friday. The court said the government’s “will to arrest him (Rampal) is lacking”.
It is now two weeks since Rampal has defied the orders of the High Court on health grounds. The sect spokesperson said doctors treating him have advised bed rest for the next few days. But the court was in no mood to listen to this argument. “We don’t buy arguments that he is not well. The state government’s inability to arrest him will allow even small time criminals to defy the law,” the court said.
On Sunday, the state government scaled down the heavy deployment outside the ashram at Barwala village in Hisar. Apparently, the move is part of the government’s strategy. The government has cut off water and power supply to the sect premises since the last two days.
The government counsel informed the court that the inmates of the sect can survive for not more than a week without supplies. But the controversy spells out political overtones as well. The M L Khattar government may not be willing to use force against the sect to arrest Rampal as it would mean annoying a large sect with political clout.
Hundreds of Rampal’s followers, including women and children, some with folded hands, have been camping ever since the controversy.