ram-rahim-out-on-parole-ahead-of-haryana-polls

Gurmeet Ram Rahim walked out of Sunaira jail for the fifteenth time on Wednesday, just days ahead of Haryana assembly polls. 

 

Allegedly, his plea for 20-day parole is being linked to the elections, given his significant influence in 36 assembly seats. 

 

According to reports, even before the news of his parole, the Dera Sacha Sauda’s state and block committee members across Haryana started persuading followers to vote as a unified bloc for a particular candidate. 

 

Further reports added that the meetings were held under Dera programmes, with “unity” as its agenda.

 

“The sangat (followers) are being told that 100 per cent votes should go to designated candidates,” the source said. 

 

The source added that the specific party or candidate that the Dera is supporting is announced on election day, “Traditionally, the name of the party or candidates is conveyed to the sangat a day before polling.”

 

“The specific party and candidates the Dera is supporting will only be announced closer to election day,” he added.

 

However, Bittu Insan, who handles Dera’s media wing, denied any political involvement, saying, “The political affairs wing was dissolved as per Pitaji’s (Ram Rahim) instructions after the 2017 court ruling. To my knowledge, there is no political activity happening within the Dera or its committees.” 

 

Political analyst Mahabir Jaglan also mentioned that Ram Rahim’s conviction is a desperate effort by the ruling BJP.

 

“Ram Rahim’s release will surely have a bearing on the polling in favour of the ruling party, but it is unlikely to impact the outcome of the elections. Once people have made up their minds to oust a government, such factors don’t have much impact,” Jaglan said.

 

He added, "After all, Dera followers are not aliens. They are from Haryana and they are also affected by the policies of the government the way others are. So, to assume that 100 per cent of followers will vote the way Dera wants is not correct."

 

Another political analyst, Shivansh Mishra, added, “timely release of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief may have significant political implications, particularly for the BJP, which has been in power for the last two terms.”

 

“His previous paroles have coincided with elections, leading to accusations that the ruling BJP sought to leverage his influence over a substantial voter base to counteract anti-incumbency sentiments. 

 

Ram Rahim’s support has historically benefited the BJP, and his current parole request and release can be viewed as strategically timed to maximise electoral impact,” Mishra added.

 

In 2017, the Dera’s political wing was dissolved following Ram Rahim’s conviction. However, now the bloc committees formed, comprising 15 members each, which directly report to the 85-member state committe of the religious body in Sirsa.

 

This committee reports to the overall top leadership of the Dera.

 

Ashok Chhabra, co-incharge of the BJP media cell in Haryana, said his release has nothing to do with BJP. 

 

“The Dera Sacha Sauda chief is a religious person and his release must not be linked with the Haryana elections. Like any other prisoner, Ram Rahim is entitled to temporary releases from time to time and he is free to choose the time of his application for parole,” Chhabra said.

 

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder. In 2017, he was convicted of raping two of his female disciples and in 2019, he was again convicted for the murder of the journalist, Ram Chandra Chattrapati. Gurmeet Ram Rahim walked out of Sunaira jail for the fifteenth time on Wednesday, just days ahead of Haryana assembly polls. 

 

Allegedly, his plea for 20-day parole is being linked to the elections, given his significant influence in 36 assembly seats. 

 

According to reports, even before the news of his parole, the Dera Sacha Sauda’s state and block committee members across Haryana started persuading followers to vote as a unified bloc for a particular candidate. 

 

Further reports added that the meetings were held under Dera programmes, with “unity” as its agenda.

 

“The sangat (followers) are being told that 100 per cent votes should go to designated candidates,” the source said. 

 

The source added that the specific party or candidate that the Dera is supporting is announced on election day, “Traditionally, the name of the party or candidates is conveyed to the sangat a day before polling.”

 

“The specific party and candidates the Dera is supporting will only be announced closer to election day,” he added.

 

However, Bittu Insan, who handles Dera’s media wing, denied any political involvement, saying, “The political affairs wing was dissolved as per Pitaji’s (Ram Rahim) instructions after the 2017 court ruling. To my knowledge, there is no political activity happening within the Dera or its committees.” 

 

Political analyst Mahabir Jaglan also mentioned that Ram Rahim’s conviction is a desperate effort by the ruling BJP.

 

“Ram Rahim’s release will surely have a bearing on the polling in favour of the ruling party, but it is unlikely to impact the outcome of the elections. Once people have made up their minds to oust a government, such factors don’t have much impact,” Jaglan said.

 

He added, "After all, Dera followers are not aliens. They are from Haryana and they are also affected by the policies of the government the way others are. So, to assume that 100 per cent of followers will vote the way Dera wants is not correct."

 

Another political analyst, Shivansh Mishra, added, “timely release of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief may have significant political implications, particularly for the BJP, which has been in power for the last two terms.”

 

“His previous paroles have coincided with elections, leading to accusations that the ruling BJP sought to leverage his influence over a substantial voter base to counteract anti-incumbency sentiments. 

 

Ram Rahim’s support has historically benefited the BJP, and his current parole request and release can be viewed as strategically timed to maximise electoral impact,” Mishra added.

 

In 2017, the Dera’s political wing was dissolved following Ram Rahim’s conviction. However, now the bloc committees formed, comprising 15 members each, which directly report to the 85-member state committee of the religious body in Sirsa.

This committee reports to the overall top leadership of the Dera.

 

Ashok Chhabra, co-incharge of the BJP media cell in Haryana, said his release has nothing to do with BJP. 

 

“The Dera Sacha Sauda chief is a religious person and his release must not be linked with the Haryana elections. Like any other prisoner, Ram Rahim is entitled to temporary releases from time to time and he is free to choose the time of his application for parole,” Chhabra said.

 

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder. In 2017, he was convicted of raping two of his female disciples and in 2019, he was again convicted for the murder of the journalist, Ram Chandra Chattrapati.