Belagavi: 21 influenced by jailed godman’s teachings rescued from mass suicide plot
Belagavi: In a shocking incident from Karnataka’s Belagavi district, as many as 21 people who were allegedly influenced by the sermons and writings of controversial Haryana-based godman Sant Rampal, currently serving a life sentence, had resolved to end their lives. Timely intervention by local authorities averted the tragedy.
The incident took place in Anantpur village of Athani taluk. Members of the Irakar family, Tukaram, Savitri, Ramesh, Vaishnavi, and others, totaling over 10 individuals, along with 11 more people from Uttar Pradesh, had collectively planned to give up their lives on September 8.
Police sources revealed that the group, deeply influenced by Rampal’s ideology, believed that “the Supreme God will come and take their lives away,” and were preparing for a ritualistic mass suicide.
As soon as the matter came to light, Chikkodi Sub-Divisional Officer Subhash Sampagavi rushed to the village, accompanied by police officials and local religious leaders. After holding detailed talks, the officials managed to convince the devotees that they were being misled by blind faith. Realizing the facts, all 21 individuals abandoned their decision.
Speaking on the issue, SDO Sampagavi warned, “Even in the 21st century, such superstitions send a dangerous message to society. True devotion means awakening inner awareness, not giving up life in the name of God. Strict action will be taken against those who encourage such acts."
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PM Modi, myself don't have 'wife issue': Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): In a friendly banter, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he didn’t have "the wife issue", as the Congress MP emphasised that everyone has learnt from women in their lives.
Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendments to the women's quota law and setting up a delimitation commission, Gandhi said women are a driving force in the national imagination and national perspective.
"All of us in this room have been influenced, taught, and have learnt a lot from women in our lives – from mothers, sisters, wives," Gandhi said.
"Of course, the prime minister and myself don't have the wife issue, so we don't get that input, but we have our mothers and sisters," he said while referring to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's light-hearted remark that he got a scolding at home as he did not pen a poem for his wife like Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal did.
Gandhi also lauded his sister and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
"Yesterday, I was watching my sister achieve in five minutes what I have not been able to do in 20 years of my political career – make Amit Shah Ji smile," Gandhi said to peals of laughter.
