The Arrest of Satguru Rampalji Maharaj

Police used water cannons to disperse supporters of Satguru Rampalji Maharaj, a self-styled godman, outside his Satlok ashram in Hisar, Haryana, on November 18. Rampal’s followers, armed with clubs and stones, tried to prevent the police from arresting the controversial guru in connection with murder charges against him. In a bid to get to Rampal, the police had to evacuate nearly 10,000 people against their will. The fracas resulted in the deaths of at least six people before Rampal, 63, was finally arrested on November 19.