Cost of a Promised Afterlife

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 submission. What began as her parents' desperate attempt to save her mother's life soon became something far more sinistera world where faith became a cage, obedience a virtue and control, absolute.By thirteen, Priyamvada was a devoted follower. In 2006, she was inside his ashram, used as a human shield during a deadly clash between Rampal's followers and a rival sect. Questioning was forbidden, loyalty was everything and defiance came at a cost. She endured heartbreaking losses and grew up with a twisted