Here's what Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had to say about self-styled godman Rampal

While incidences of violence and chaos continue in Hisar, where self-styled godman Rampal is believed to be hiding, reports of the Haryana police evacuating and rescuing 15,000 supporters from the Satlok ashram and arresting 425 people is a step towards diffusing the situation.

However, the self-styled godman doesn't seem to be gaining much sympathy from other self-help gurus. Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who is currently in Erbil, Iraq, has publicly spoken out against baba Rampal, calling a need for a 'Sarva Dharma' council in order to prevent such happenings again.

Events like this cause fear and disgust for religion and spirituality. #Rampal

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) November 19, 2014

There is a dire need for a Sarva Dharma council which can guide spiritual movements and help prevent situations like this. #Rampal

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) November 19, 2014

He also asserted via Twitter that he had tried contacting Rampal and 'talk some sense into him', but in vain. 

I tried to contact Rampal to talk some sense into him. His secretary first agreed to connect and then kept cutting the phone.

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) November 19, 2014

The spiritual leader and proponent of meditation further asserted that incidences such as the one unfolding in Hisar could have a deep impact on peoples' belief system and elements like Rampal had to be dealt with severely.

People of all religions who misuse faith for personal gain should be severely dealt with.At the same time,innocent leaders must be protected

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) November 19, 2014