Ram Rahim Singh

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, also spelled as Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh, is the head of an organization called Dera Sacha Sauda. He has always remained controversial, and is currently under investigation in a few criminal cases. Controversy surrounding him recently increased after he wore a dress similar to the 10th Sikh Guru allegedly with the intention of copying him.

Clashes with Sikh community

In May 2007 Dera Sacha Sauda was accused of insulting Sikhism after the organization's leader, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, "appeared in an advert in which Sikhs said he was made to look like the last Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh."cite news |first=Sunil |last=Raman |title= India tensions over Sikh protests |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6667219.stm|publisher= BBC News|date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2007-05-17] This controversy developed into a serious law-and-order problem in various parts of Northern India, as violence broke out between Sacha Sauda followers and the Sikhs. At least one person (allegedly a protester) was killed by the dera chief's bodyguard, and over a hundred injured in the ensuing six days of sectarian violence."cite news |title= Punjab limping back to normalcy, isolated protests |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200705191801.htm|publisher= The Hindu|date=2007-05-19 |accessdate=2007-05-25]

On 20 May, 2007, a press release by the organization mentioned that it regretted the events that had occurred. The sect admitted that the ad did create misunderstandings, but that it was never intended to hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community [cite web | url = http://www.ibnlive.com/news/dera-sauda-regrets-hurting-sikhs/40927-3.html | title = Dera Sauda regrets hurting Sikhs | publisher = CNN-IBN Live | accessdate=2007-05-20] The organization again apologised on 27 May, 2007 saying, "We are pained by the developments of the last several days. We are sorry for the misunderstanding and would like to apologise to Guru Gobind Singh." [cite web | url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070013432 | title = Dera Sauda again apologize | publisher = NDTV |accessdate=2007-05-27] . However the Akal Takht rejected the apology, saying it was dissatisfied with the manner in which the Dera head has sent the apology. [cite web |url = http://www.ibnlive.com/news/dera-apology-akal-takht-unsatisfied/top/41601-3.html?xml | title = Dera Sauda again apology Rejected By Akal Takth | publisher = CNN-IBN |accessdate=2007-05-29] .

On 20 June 2007, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate A.L. Kitchi issued an arrest warrant against Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in connection with a criminal case registered against him under Section 295-A of the IPC on May 20 in Bathinda. [cite web |url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070621/main5.htm | title = Arrest warrant against dera chief
publisher = Tribune Chandigarh|accessdate=2007-06-21] .

On 20 June, 2008, guards of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh were involved in shooting a Sikh member of the public in a Mumbai suburb, Mulund. As a result, there were protests by Sikhs in Mumbai and elsewhere in the country. For two days, there was a near breakdown of public infrastructure in the surrounding areas. [cite web | url = http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/21dera.htm | title = Sikh protestors call off agitation against Dera chief | publisher = Rediff | accessdate=2008-06-23]

Major allegations

The most damaging allegation as yet on Baba Ram Rahim is of a female follower's letter anonymously sent to Prime Minister, President, Chief Minister of Punjab (India) and Haryana and to session judge of Punjab (India) and Haryana High Court and Supreme Court and a DGP of Police in 2002. It claimed that Baba Ram Rahim had allegedly raped her and at least 50 more female followers in the Dera Sacha Sauda premises.- After the publication of this letter in a newspaper the editor of the News Paper "Pura Sach", Ram Chandra Chatrapati was murdered.- The case was then handed over to CBI to investigate further.- And after the CBI there was another murder of a Dera Follower Ranjit Singh. His father also complained in the courts that baba ram raheem was directly involved in the murder. So the CBI included murder of ranjit singh into its ongoing investigations. - The case then moved on a snail pace and only after the dera and sikh community clash the high court ordered CBI to submit its report on 31 July 2007 by all means.-This report has been submitted and CBI has framed Babba Ram Raheem and has not given him clean chit , it means CBI has found him guilty. The CBI will release its details on 1st August and will produce all the evidence collected to the court on 31 August.

In October 2007, Baba Ram Raheem got an interim bail in murder, rape cases by a Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.

Allegations made by Khatta Singh on India T.V.

On 27th, a sting operation by Tehelka and Indian TV recorded a statement from hidden camera, of the main witness Khatta Singh (Gurmeet Ram Rahim's driver) for CBI in the case against Ram Rahim. You can watch that video here.

Other controversies

The organization and its head, Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh, are also under investigation for the murder of a journalist, Ram Chandra Chatrapati, and for sexual exploitation of women followers.cite news |first= T.K. |last=Rajalakshmi |title= Godman under a cloud |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1926/stories/20030103003404000.htm |publisher= Frontline |date= 2002-12-21 |accessdate=2007-05-17 ]

Although Dera Sacha Sauda says it discourages donations, Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh's favourite mode of transport is a fleet of Mercedes cars, protected by up to 25 bodyguards.cite web | url = http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2565124.ece | title = Cult leader sparks Sikh riots with 'guru' stunt | publisher = independent UK | accessdate=2007-05-20] In 2007, he clashed with the Punjab's state government after urging his followers to vote for the Congress party, which forms the opposition in Punjab.

The organization supported the Indian National Congress against the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in the 2007 Punjab state election of 2007. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1696960.cms Sacha Sauda sect helps Cong retain cotton belt] , "Times of India", 2007-02-28]

ee also

* Punjab plume controversy

References

External links

* [http://www.khurmi.com/dera.htm Dera Saccha Sauda Crises - The Game Media Played]

INDIATV sting operation, khatta singhs interview and govind singh interview :
* [http://derasachasauda.etcinfocomm.com News n discussion and khatta singhs video] Organization's website:
* [http://www.derasachasauda.in Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa]
* [http://www.truthandmyth.org Truth and Myth]
* [http://www.shahsatnamjigreens.org/ shahsatnamjigreens.org]
* [http://www.sachasauda-truthandmyth.com/ sachasauda-truthandmyth.com]