Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda and a convicted rapist, was granted a 20-day parole on Wednesday, allowing him to leave Sunaria jail in Rohtak. This marks his 15th parole since being convicted, resulting in over 259 days spent outside of prison in the last seven years. His releases have often coincided with key electoral events, including Assembly, Lok Sabha, and panchayat elections, raising questions about the motivations behind them.
Political Context and Influence
The Dera Sacha Sauda boasts a considerable following in Haryana and Punjab, with estimates of around 1.25 crore devotees. It operates 38 branches, with 21 located in Haryana. The organization has a history of political involvement, having supported various parties such as the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, and Congress. Its followers are particularly concentrated in six Haryana districts: Fatehabad, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Karnal, and Hisar, covering at least 26 Assembly constituencies. Fatehabad has the highest density of Dera followers, making it a crucial area during elections.
Political analyst Professor Gurmeet Singh noted, “Dera has a significant number of followers in Haryana and can influence the elections. In Fatehabad, the Dera followers could sway results in Tohana, Ratia, and Fatehabad.”
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Caste Dynamics and Political Clout
Dera Sacha Sauda’s influence comes from its diverse follower base, which includes many lower-caste individuals, especially Dalits and converted Sikhs, as well as upper-caste disciples. This blend allows the Dera to function as a powerful voting bloc in a state where caste plays a crucial role in politics.
Typically, upper-caste votes in Haryana are divided among major parties like Congress and the BJP. However, lower-caste Dera followers are more likely to align with the Dera’s guidance, making their support vital for any political party. Both the BJP and Congress have recognized this and have sought the Dera’s backing during election campaigns.
Past Political Alignments
The Dera Sacha Sauda has a history of influencing political outcomes. In the 2007 Punjab Assembly elections, it supported the Congress, while in 2014, it backed the BJP for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The Dera’s endorsement carried significant weight, with thousands of its followers campaigning for the BJP in the 2015 Bihar elections.
Opposition Reaction
The recent parole granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim has provoked strong reactions from opposition parties, Sikh organizations, and victims’ families. The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have called on the Election Commission to cancel his parole, asserting that it violates the model code of conduct. Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, spokesperson for SAD, expressed outrage: “It is shameful that a rape and murder convict has been granted parole repeatedly. The families of the victims deserve better treatment.”
Anshul Chattarpati, son of slain journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati, has also raised concerns about the implications of Ram Rahim’s release on the upcoming elections, urging for the cancellation of his parole.
As Haryana prepares for Assembly elections, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s parole has ignited a political controversy. This development not only underscores the Dera Sacha Sauda’s potential influence on electoral outcomes but also highlights the complex interplay between religion and politics in the region. With significant stakes in the upcoming elections, it remains to be seen how this situation will affect voter sentiment and political alliances.
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