Why Indians are obsessed with rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?

Rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is also Chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, is in headlines once again. Out on Parole, Ram Rahim is conducting online ‘Satsang’ (spiritual gathering) and is interacting with his people. Currently he is facing 20 years imprisonment for rape, life imprisonment along with three others for murdering a journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and prosecution for other murders and ordering forced castrations. Despite all his convictions, his followers do not see him as a criminal but ‘Messenger of God’. Dera Sacha Sauda is an Indian social group running since 1990. Most of the people associated with group are from Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

In 2017, he was proved guilty in rape charges and was sentenced 20 years of prison. However, this created much chaos and violence by members of DSS resulting clashes with police, deaths and numbers of injured. After being publicly exposed for his criminal behavior, people still need his blessings and are negligent about his criminal side. According to the information, Ram Rahim got release on a 40 day parole on 14^th October and is holding online discourses since then. It has been reported that famous BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party) leaders also attended virtual Satsang before it was criticized by media and several others. Why people are obsessed with rapist Ram Rahim in India?

Shanti Yadav is a part of group that works for women in Gujarat and is one of them who denounced Ram Rahim’s parole and his activities. She said, ‘Releasing a criminal on parole needs police to observe his activities. Here, Ram Rahim is organizing online Satsang and speaking to people is against the law. Why he has not been under radar? And if he is, how can administration and police allow him to brainwash people again? A criminal is receiving respect, is being treated as god is like shaming the victims.’ Later, police intervened into the matter and reached at the scene to bring it under control. To the surprise, almost 300 school students were also seen attending Satsang in a video. It was organized in a district of Uttar Pradesh on November 17. ‘Yes, I have seen the video and there were school students in uniforms. It is alarming, when school authorities encouraging students to get inspiration from such criminals and parents who are fine with their children to listen and follow men like Ram Rahim in society. It is very irresponsible of Indian police and people who are a part of it’, said Shanti.

According to the information, Ram Rahim who is serving jail for assaulting his two disciples has been out on parole number of times, once during municipalities elections in Haryana. Shanti told EAT news he is getting VIP treatment behind the bars. ‘Clearly, he is a big name with thousands of followers as his support. And we have seen instances in past, of situation turning into chaos when an influential personality gets involved. But then at the end of the day, he is a criminal who is proven guilty and should be treated like others. He is given parole every now and then for long weeks, not kept under the radar of police and no restrictions in meeting people’, she said.

Satvik and his family are associated with DSS group from last 20 years and believe nobody can take Ram Rahim’s position. Satvik while talking to EAT news confirmed that he visit ashram in his hometown. He said, ‘My father and mother’s family are associated with DSS, and now my family too. It’s been a peaceful and life changing experience for all of us and no matter what, we are concentrated on the positive side.’ Although, Satvik selectively responded he is quite certain about never ending relation between his family and DSS. ‘Granting parole is under the law and receiving it is every prisoner’s right. I do not see any problem in this one. Conducting Satsang online is something his followers were waiting from so long and now all of us are relieved. He has done so much for our families and country, we should not forget it’, said Satvik.

No media confirms, but one of the followers in a statement given to a media house mentioned cleanliness drive, blood donation camps, drives against drug menace, extended help to the poor, initiated by the group that should not be overlooked. When Satvik was asked about such donations, he simply said ‘Yes’. Law declared him guilty for ‘Murder’ and ‘Rape’, however his blind folded followers have a different say altogether. Shanti Yadav lastly said, ‘People should understand there is a huge difference between practicing spirituality and faking it. People like Ram Rahim are fraud who brainwash his disciples and exploit them financially and physically. Such people should be held accountable for performing evil work on the name of devotional activities.’

Asaram Bapu, Rampal, Ichchadhari Bhimanand, Nithyananda are some other godmen who had millions of followers and now are serving punishment either in rape case or murder in India.