Rampal in jail, followers put up show of strength in Rohtak

The followers of controversial godman Rampal, who is in jail for murder and sedition, put up a show of strength in Rohtak on Kabir Jayanti on Friday, wooing people with sweets.

More than 3.5 lakh kg of laddoos and jalebis were prepared and distributed among followers, who thronged the mega event aimed at flaunting the clout he wields three years after his arrest.

“More than 350 cooks prepared 3,000 quintals of sweets for four days for the gathering, comprising 20 lakh devotees,” says Aman Dass, one of the organisers.

Ever since his arrest in 2014, Rampal’s supporters have put up a show of strength during court hearings by gathering in thousands.

As a result, he deposes via

video conferencing.

But commuters faced the brunt on Friday as his supporters from across Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh arrived in buses and private vehicles, forcing the police to divert traffic from the highway. The organisers

pitched tents on 25 acres adjoining Gohana road, where they played Rampal’s recorded message on projectors for three hours.

During the event, the organisers solemnised the wedding of 50 women from a humble background without dowry.

POLICE ON ALERT

The opposition to the event from Arya Samajis put the police on alert. The godman’s supporters have had a history of clashes with the Arya Samajis.

They forced Rampal supporters to shift base from Karontha village in Rohtak to Barwala in Hisar after clashes between 2006 and 2013. Friday’s gathering saw a boost with supporters of the All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti lending support by reaching in large numbers.

They said they were returning the favour of Rampal supporters who backed them in March during the Jat agitation for job quota. The bonhomie surprised everyone.

MORE THAN 3.5 LAKH KG OF LADDOOS AND JALEBIS DISTRIBUTED AMONG FOLLOWERS