Highlights
- Ram Rahim who is on 40-day parole is said to be at a Dera facility in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, where the video ‘Sadi Nit Diwali’ was also shot.
- He said that Honeypreet, who has had her share of controversies and was also arrested, will now be known as Ruhani Didi.
- Ram Rahim also quashed rumours of a change of leadership at the Dera Sachcha Sauda and said that he would remain its head.
Controversial spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who has been granted parole has released a new music video featuring himself on the night of Diwali.
Ram Rahim who is on 40-day parole is said to be at a Dera facility in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, where the video ‘Sadi Nit Diwali’ was also shot.
Ram Rahim celebrates Diwali with followers
He also shared videos of the Dera’s Diwali celebrations. Ram Rahim told supporters on Monday night that his imprisonment was a “spiritual journey” and that he was writing a book about it.
He also announced that his ‘daughter’ Honeypreet will now be known as ‘Ruhani Didi’.
He said that Honeypreet, who has had her share of controversies and was also arrested, will now be known as Ruhani Didi.
Ram Rahim also quashed rumours of a change of leadership at the Dera Sachcha Sauda and said that he would remain its head.
How is this being allowed?
The free hand and patronisation given to the controversial godman have however raised many questions.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra called for codified parole legislation like in the US and Britain. She stressed that parole cannot solely be left to biased state govt officials on a pick-and-choose basis.
“Unlike the US & UK, India lacks codified parole legislation. Parole cannot solely be left to biased state govt officials on a pick & choose basis. High time law is changed,” she said in a Tweet.
Parole ahead of crucial bypolls in Haryana
The parole granted to the highly influential leader had also raised several questions, due to its timing.
Adampur in Haryana’s Hissar is set for a high-stakes bypoll on November 3, and many have alleged that Ram Rahim’s release was an attempt to appease his followers.
Ever since his release, Ram Rahim has been holding satsang online.
At least two BJP leaders, including Haryana Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa and Karnal Mayor Renu Bala Gupta were found interacting with Ram Rahim online and seeking his blessings.
The Congress candidate for Adampur bypoll, Jai Prakash, too came forward claiming that he was Ram Rahim’s “biggest disciple”.
Out of jail before elections in the past too
Previously, Ram Rahim was granted parole thrice in 2021 and twice in 2022, which includes 21 days in February and a month in June.
On February 7, Ram Rahim was granted furlough days before the Punjab Assembly polls and granted Z-plus security “due to a high-level threat to his life from pro-Khalistan elements”.
Convicted in rape and murder cases
The Dera chief has been currently serving life imprisonment for the murder of former journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati and the rape of two Dera disciples. He was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula in 2017.
In October 2021, Gurmeet Ram Rahim and 4 others were also sentenced to life by a special CBI court in Panchkula in connection with former Dera manager Ranjit Singh’s murder case.
Ranjit Singh was murdered in 2002 on the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda.
In January 2019, Ram Rahim Singh was also found guilty of the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati. Three aides of the sect chief are also convicted.
