The Cost of a Promised Afterlife: My Escape from a Controversial Religious Cult in India

In India, godmen are everywhere. Their photos hang on walls, their voices fill television screens and their names are spoken in both prayers and scandals. But the word ‘cult’ is rarely used. It stays unspoken until another scandal breaks out, only to be buried under silence again. This silence allows blind faith to thrive and logic to crumble.

At nine, Priyamvada Mehra was led into the fold of Rampal, a self-proclaimed godman who promised miracle cures and salvation in exchange for submissio...