Ram Rahim out on parole, followers await political signal
Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving life imprisonment in separate cases of rape and murder, walked out of Rohtak’s Sunaria jail on parole yesterday. His release has left political parties and leaders in Haryana waiting for signs of support from his followers, whose backing is considered influential in several constituencies.
Despite being granted conditional parole that prohibits him from campaigning in the elections and from visiting the Dera headquarters in Sirsa, gatherings of his followers — referred to as naam charcha —were held today at satsang bhawans in various districts. Sources indicate that Dera followers are awaiting further indications from Dera authorities regarding any potential political endorsements.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kuldeep Bishnoi said a group of Dera Sacha Sauda followers met him and Fatehabad MLA Dura Ram in Dhangar village of Fatehabad district and pledged their support to them. Bishnoi expressed gratitude to the Dera, acknowledging that his family had long been followers of the sect and had always received its blessings.
Dera spokesperson Jitender Khurana declined to comment on the statement of Bishnoi. However, sources revealed that even though the Dera Sacha Sauda’s political wing is officially disbanded, its representatives have recently been gathering data on their followers in various districts across Haryana.
