#dnaEdit: Obeying the police

The Haryana government and the police have much to answer for allowing to play out the strong-arm tactics of self-styled godman Rampal. Trouble has been brewing since July when Rampal’s supporters stormed the Hisar district court complex in an attempt to disrupt proceedings in a murder case. Despite such brazenness, the Haryana police woke up to the law and order menace posed by Rampal only after the Punjab and Haryana high court took cognisance of the state of affairs and initiated notice for contempt of court and issued a non-bailable warrant against Rampal. The lackadaisical attitude to policing has now come at a great cost. Reports quoting Haryana police sources, rather ironically, estimate that Rampal massed up 15,000 followers, and they are to be “human shields” to prevent a violent takeover of the ashram. The police personnel dispatched to arrest Rampal have also reportedly discovered that Rampal’s followers possessed firearms and were hurling acid and crude bombs at them. Frustrated by Rampal’s defiance, the police gave vent to their anger by a murderous assault on journalists.

Rampal’s actions resemble another controversial godman. Last year, Asaram Bapu mounted a similar resistance using his supporters when faced with rape charges. The civil administration prefers to treat influential persons with kid gloves rather than trouble themselves with pursuing legal processes even when illegality is uncovered. The fear among the political class that invoking the godman’s ire could translate into an electoral backlash shackles the police too. In Rampal’s case, he reportedly avoided nearly 50 court hearings and summons or warrants. It is unclear how the trial court allowed so many infractions. But it would seem that the powerful can, or are allowed to, dodge the law. In neighbouring Rajasthan, the police claim they cannot identify Union minister Nihal Chand Meghwal’s address to serve him summons in a rape case. Rampal, for his part, claims that he was falsely implicated on a murder charge in the 2006 clashes with Arya Samaj followers. But this is no manner of proclaiming innocence or protesting victimisation. Like other citizens, he has to face the charges in court where, with good legal backing, he stands a better chance of acquittal. Interestingly, Rampal has also fortified his ashram with high walls making the police’s task more difficult. While we agree with the individual’s prerogative to privacy and the godman’s freedom to utilise his property as he deems fit, the fact that erecting such fences deters effective policing is a relevant concern too. Many countries have local laws restricting the height and type of fences that can be built.

That the Haryana government tried hard to dodge this confrontation is evident from its submissions to the high court. It first claimed Rampal was unwell and a medical board had to be constituted, but when the judge refused to play ball, it warned of a law-and-order situation. The newly sworn-in political leadership of Haryana is acting surprisingly coy. It fielded the state DGP and the principal secretary to the Chief Minister to address the media despite confirmed deaths and reports of people being held hostage. While it unacceptable for the State to regulate religious activities in any manner, even those of self-styled godmen, unless there is evidence of coercion against any entity, so is the inability of the State to dock them for civil and criminal transgressions. Such inaction breeds impunity that reaches megalomaniacal levels as evidenced in Hisar now. Rampal represents a challenge to law enforcement because he was allowed to believe in his invincibility by  politicians, police and courts. It serves a timely cautionary note to all concerned.