Sacrilege cases

THE grant of prosecution sanction by the Punjab Government sets the stage for resumption of the trial against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in three sacrilege cases dating back to 2015. The Supreme Court had recently lifted the stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on proceedings against the self-styled godman. The cases involve the desecration of the Sikh scripture in Faridkot district. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was among those booked for causing religious hurt following the registration of multiple first information reports. The delay in taking the cases to their logical conclusion has added to the political slugfest. The AAP government has been facing flak for inaction from within its own ranks. Even after nine years, closure is nowhere in sight.

The dera chief remains a controversial figure over actions considered blasphemous by the Sikh community. Ram Rahim is already serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder in a Rohtak jail. The frequent parole granted to him by the Haryana government is viewed as a sign of the influence he holds. Public perception, thus, started gaining ground of a deliberate attempt to prevent bringing him to justice in the sacrilege cases. For Ram Rahim’s followers, such insinuations and ennui put him at a distinct disadvantage. As per the special investigation team of the Punjab Police, the dera chief was one of the main conspirators and among the 12 persons indicted for the sacrilege incidents. The way forward is a fair and time-bound trial.

The incidents of sacrilege and the firing on protesters in 2015 continue to rankle. A mature and more nuanced vocabulary by political leaders in matters of such sensitive nature would help. Social harmony cannot be held hostage to the alleged misdeeds of an individual.