A day after the Punjab and Haryana high court issued non-bailable warrants against Satlok Ashram spiritual head Sant Rampal and his aide, Rastriya Samaj Sewa Samiti national president RK Dhaka, the ashram has announced a three-day satsang (congretation) from November 7 (Friday), a clear move to gather thousands of followers to thwart Rampal’s arrest.
Rampal’s followers have adopted a tough posture. The high court had asked the samiti members and Rampal to appear in court on Monday in a case about the contempt of a Hisar court. They failed to appear and the court issued non-bailable warrants against them, ordering the police to produce them in the court on Tuesday.
In a joint press release, Dhaka and samiti general secretary Balwan Singh stated that on the directions of the court, they had attended the Hisar court, and after receiving the contempt notice, had put up an application in a Chandigarh court to arrange for their stay on November 5 (Wednesday).
Sources inside Satlok Ashram said thousands of Rampal’s followers had congregated inside Barwala-based Hisar Ashram already, where the ashram head was based currently and several others were expected to join him by Friday morning to prevent his forcible arrest.
Meanwhile, Hisar deputy commissioner ML Kaushik said the administration would comply with the court order in every case but currently was holding talks with the followers of Rampal to work out a solution.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Hisar deputy commissioner ML Kaushik said the administration would comply with the court order in every case but currently was holding talks with the followers of Rampal to work out a solution.
{{/usCountry}}On being informed about the defiant posture and the large assembly at the ashram to prevent Rampal’s arrest, Kaushik said either the administration could call extra force to comply with the orders or find a peaceful way out based on discussion.
“The district administration has had two rounds of talks with the Satlok Ashram representatives and tried to persuade them to cooperate. However, they are unyielding,” he added.