Amid allegations of “patronage politics”, can Ram Rahim influence Haryana elections?

Vibha Sharma

Chandigarh, August 14

Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, convicted of rape and murder, has been granted a 21-day furlough, his 10th since 2017. This move has sparked allegations of “political patronage” and raised questions about his potential influence on the elections.

Ram Rahim, serving a 20-year imprisonment for raping two disciples, was released from jail and is currently residing in the sect’s ashram in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district. In January 2019, Singh was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. In October 2021, he was awarded another life imprisonment for the murder of former dera manager Ranjit Singh.

Political patronage or mere coincidence?

His frequent paroles have led to accusations of political manoeuvring to secure votes from his followers, particularly among Dalits in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Opponents argue that the BJP-governed Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments’ swift clearance of his release application, ahead of the elections, is a deliberate attempt to “woo his followers” in Haryana. However, political observers believe Ram Rahim’s influence may be waning, citing his diminished clout and reduced following since his conviction.

While his release may enhance BJP’s performance, it remains uncertain whether it can significantly impact the election outcome. The dera chief’s ability to influence elections has reportedly declined, and his following has decreased substantially since his conviction.

The furlough has sparked controversy, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) opposing the repeated parole grants, terming it a “political agenda” of the BJP-led Haryana government. Ram Rahim’s release has raised questions about his potential impact on the elections and whether his influence can sway voters in Haryana.

This dera chief was also released ahead of the Assembly poll in Rajasthan — his home state — which BJP won. However, according to political observers, he may not be able to influence Haryana as much as is being expected. The reason, of course, is his “diminished clout” as it is no longer what it used to be in his heydays. There is a sizable reduction in the number of followers.

“The dera is trying to build a narrative, projecting him as a victim of the drug mafia’s conspiracy. Holding virtual ‘satsangs’ during temporary release is also helping. But his following has declined after he was convicted for rape and murder, and so has his ability to influence elections, or else BJP would not have lost in the Malwa region, dera stronghold in the Punjab Assembly elections,” said one of the dera visitors.