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'''Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan''' is a social reformer, preacher, spiritual leader, and actor. He has been the head of the India-based socio-spiritual organisation [[Dera Sacha Sauda]] (DSS) since 23 September 1990.<ref name="TNP Zest">{{cite web|url=http://tnpzest.com/2012/10/25/dera-strong-with-50-million-followers/| title = Dera strong with 50 million followers | publisher = TNP Zest| accessdate=2015-06-08}}</ref> DSS oversees several social programmes, such as a cleanliness campaign, blood drives, tree planting, disaster relief, and support for transgender people, tribal communities, orphans, and rehabilitation of sex workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120504/harplus.htm#5| title = Dera followers marry sex workers | publisher = The Tribune | accessdate=2015-06-08}}</ref> Independent but unconfirmed media analysts report 4&ndash;5 crores (40&ndash;50 million) followers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-politicians-seek-dera-blessings-punjab-politics-2014-lok-sabha-polls/1/353489.html|title=Punjab politicians seek Dera Blessings}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-assembly-elections-2012-dera-sacha-sauda/1/169884.html|title=Punjab polls: Parties line up for Dera Sacha Sauda support|work=intoday.in|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref>
'''Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan''' is a social reformer, preacher, spiritual leader, and actor. He has been the head of the India-based socio-spiritual organisation [[Dera Sacha Sauda]] (DSS) since 23 September 1990.<ref name="TNP Zest">{{cite web|url=http://tnpzest.com/2012/10/25/dera-strong-with-50-million-followers/| title = Dera strong with 50 million followers | publisher = TNP Zest| accessdate=2015-06-08}}</ref> DSS oversees several social programmes, such as a cleanliness campaign, blood drives, tree planting, disaster relief, and support for transgender people, tribal communities, orphans, and rehabilitation of sex workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120504/harplus.htm#5| title = Dera followers marry sex workers | publisher = The Tribune | accessdate=2015-06-08}}</ref> Independent but unconfirmed media analysts report 4&ndash;5 crores (40&ndash;50 million) followers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-politicians-seek-dera-blessings-punjab-politics-2014-lok-sabha-polls/1/353489.html|title=Punjab politicians seek Dera Blessings}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-assembly-elections-2012-dera-sacha-sauda/1/169884.html|title=Punjab polls: Parties line up for Dera Sacha Sauda support|work=intoday.in|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref>
The Dera head found himself in the midst of a major controversy in May 2007 when he was accused of hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs by wearing, in an advertisement, an attire, resembling the tenth and final Sikh Guru Gobind Singh


He is also prime accused criminal cases of rape ,murder and forced castration <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1926/stories/20030103003404000.htm|title=Godman under a cloud|work=frontline.in|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref>
His teachings and appearance have been protested by [[Sikh]]s and [[Sikh]] separatist groups, and he has been the target of violent attacks from groups in the [[Khalistan movement]].

He has also been investigated for several high-profile criminal cases, although he has not been convicted of any of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1926/stories/20030103003404000.htm|title=Godman under a cloud|work=frontline.in|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==

Revision as of 14:24, 19 October 2015

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan
File:GuruJi addressing a spiritual congregation.jpg
Ram Rahim addressing a spiritual congregation
Born (1967-08-15) 15 August 1967 (age 56)
NationalityIndian
Other namesMSG, Rockstar baba, baba ram rahim
Occupation(s)Preacher, social reformer, Actor, philanthropist, singer, director,
Years active1990–present
OrganizationDera Sacha Sauda
Parents
  • Maghar Singh
  • Nasib Kaur
Websitewww.saintgurmeetramrahimsinghjiinsan.org

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan is a social reformer, preacher, spiritual leader, and actor. He has been the head of the India-based socio-spiritual organisation Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) since 23 September 1990.[1] DSS oversees several social programmes, such as a cleanliness campaign, blood drives, tree planting, disaster relief, and support for transgender people, tribal communities, orphans, and rehabilitation of sex workers.[2] Independent but unconfirmed media analysts report 4–5 crores (40–50 million) followers.[3][4] The Dera head found himself in the midst of a major controversy in May 2007 when he was accused of hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs by wearing, in an advertisement, an attire, resembling the tenth and final Sikh Guru Gobind Singh

He is also prime accused criminal cases of rape ,murder and forced castration [5]

Early life

Ram Rahim was born to Naseeb Kaur and Magghar Singh on 15 August 1967, at Gurusar Modia village in Ganganagar district of Rajasthan.[6] He was born in a Jat Sikh Sidhu family.[7]

On 23 September 1990, Shah Satnam held a huge satsang where he publicly conferred sainthood and succession of the spiritual leadership upon Gurmeet Ram Rahim. He is married and has three children. One of his son is married to the daughter of Harminder Singh Jassi, a former Congress MLA from Bathinda.[8]

Political Influence

Because of his following, he has been described as being politically influential.[9][10][11][12] In 2014 Haryana polls, His organisation supported BJP and its work. BJP won in polls first time in Haryana.[13] In February 2015, his organisation openly supported BJP in Delhi elections, saying that he has over 20 Lakh followers in Delhi.[14][15][16] In the elections BJP suffered a defeat, winning only 3 seats out of 70.[citation needed]

In a case where the Dera's followers were accused of being suicide attackers, the Dera has stated publicly that it was being targeted by vested political groups that were conspiring to defame it.[17][18] The organisation has demanded a judicial probe into the allegations.[19][20] [21]

Social work

Ram Rahim Singh consoles victims of a fire in Darjeeling on 20 April 2012

Ram Rahim has organised drives for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screening that have been recognized by Guinness.[22][23][24] In association with the American Society of Echocardiography, he also organized the world record for "Most Cardiac Echo Tests".[25][26] On 21 September 2011 in New Delhi, Ram Rahim initiated a series of sanitation drives. He also pledged his support to the Central Government's campaign.[27] On 28 Oct 2014 he inaugurated the cleanliness cleanliness drive "Ho Prithvi Saaf, Mitey Rog Abhishaap" along about five lacs volunteers who responded to his call with a humongous sea of brooms. As of 2011, about 28 Mega Cleanliness Campaigns have been conducted in several states of India.[28] On 22 May 2012 Ram Rahim laid the foundation of the Shah Satnam ji Super Speciality Hospital at Sirsa. He established a specialised disaster relief and welfare agency called Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing in 2001. Especially in the aftermath of the Odisha cyclone and Gujarat earthquake.[29][30][31][32][33]

Music

Ram Rahim's music has been published by Universal Music.[34][35] He has written, composed and performed in his music videos which forms a genre described as "Religious Rock". Over the last 2 years[when?] he has released 6 music albums as Thank For u That, Network Tere Love Ka,Insan, Lov Rab Se.[36] His latest album released in April 2014, Highway Love Charger, sold almost three million copies in three days and has seen around 1.97 million views on YouTube. He has performed at over a hundred rock shows, the latest being at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.[37]

Films

Ram Rahim has started acting in movies, and the first film MSG: The Messenger was released worldwide on 13 February 2015. According to the producers, the movie deals with youth-related issues like drug abuse. The film has seven songs and it was released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and English.[38] The film received negative reviews from critics.[39] Independent sources reported that the film performed badly, being declared a "Disaster" by Box Office India,[40] although the film's producers have said it performed well.[41]

A sequel, MSG-2 The Messenger, was released 1 October 2015.

Conflict with Sikh groups

Sikh groups (such as Dal Khalsa) and political parties (such as Shiromani Akali Dal) have opposed the Dera.[42]

In May 2007, Sikh groups stated that Ram Rahim's attire in an advertisement resembled that of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.[43] They accused him of blasphemy and of hurting Sikh sentiments.[21] The controversy was followed by multiple attacks on the Dera members.[44] His followers also organised a demonstration against their alleged persecution at the hands of some religious organisations.[45][46] Gurmeet Ram Rahim was himself attacked by a mob on 16 July 2007, but escaped unhurt.[47] The Dera Sacha Sauda tendered multiple apologies, regretting confusion over the dress, and stated that it had high regard for all Sikh Gurus, Sikh religion and the entire humankind.[48] A multi religion delegation approached the apex Sikh organisation to accept the apology .[49] Though the Akal Takht didn't use the word "rejected" — they maintained that the apology was inadequate on several counts.[50]

A criminal case filed against him, for hurting the Sikh sentiments, was dismissed by the Sirsa court in 2009.[20] Counter-terrorism expert Ajai Sahni has stated that the tensions between the Sikh community and the Dera have been exploited by the pro-Khalistan elements. He has further quoted Indian military intelligence that Iknoor Khalsa Fauj, Khalistan Zindabad Force and Khalistan Commando Force have attempted to eliminate him.[21]

On 2 February 2008, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's cavalcade was attacked with explosives, injuring 11 persons.[51] A Khalistan Liberation Force member Bakshish Singh was later arrested for the attack who confessed to arranging explosives for the attack on the Dera chief and also executing the plan along with his associates.[52][53] After that, Ram Rahim was protected with Z+ security cover by Government of India.[54]

On 20 June 2008, a group of Sikhs shouted anti-Dera slogans during Gurmeet Ram Rahim's visit to the Nirmal Lifestyles mall in Mumbai. The situation developed into an altercation between the protestors and the Dera followers, and one of the Sikh protestors was killed.[55] This led to further protests from Sikhs in Mumbai and Punjab.[56] His followers who were charged with the killing were let off by the fast track court.[citation needed]

On 27 September 2015 the Akal Takht accepted his apology and pardoned him, but on observing widespread resentment and protest among Sikhs regarding his pardon, the organisation revoked the pardon on 16 October.[57]

Criminal accusations

In 2002 Ram Rahim and his Dera came under investigation in connection with the charges of sexual exploitation of women followers of the sect, and the murder of a journalist Ram Chander Chatrapati. The allegations started in May 2002 after an anonymous letter alleging sexual exploitation was addressed to the Prime Minister and its copies had been marked to several other bodies. Chatrapati, who had been writing about the Dera's activities since then, was shot on 24 October and died on 21 November. In August 2007 the news magazine Tehelka published a story about alleged murders, sexual exploitation and possession of illegal arms by Dera Sacha Sauda followers on behalf of Gurmeet Ram Rahim.[58] Subsequently, court cases were filed against him.

Pertaining to the above accusations, court cases were filed against Gurmeet Ram Rahim. In the High court, his counsel questioned the bona fides of the investigating agency and alleged that the witnesses were "purchased" to falsely implicate him.[59] This version was refuted by the opposing counsel. But the High Court granted him bail in these cases after extensive arguments.[60] This was subsequently extended by the trial court.[61] Finally, the bail was upheld by the Supreme Court of India.[62][63]

In 2010, a special CBI court cleared Gurmeet Ram Rahim of any involvement in the murder of the former Dera chief's driver Faqir Chand.[64][65]

On 31 August 2014 Vishwas Gupta apologised for having made false allegations against Dera Chief regarding sexually harassing his wife and keeping her captive and confirmed that the anti-dera elements from Punjab forced him to do so.[66]

In early 2015, Indian police began probing Ram Rahim for allegedly encouraging 400 followers to get castrated so they could get closer to God. The investigation began after one of his devotees claimed to have been manipulated into undergoing the "painful" operation. According to the victim's lawyer, "They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god".[67]

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Dera followers marry sex workers". The Tribune. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Punjab politicians seek Dera Blessings".
  4. ^ "Punjab polls: Parties line up for Dera Sacha Sauda support". intoday.in. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Godman under a cloud". frontline.in. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Huzoor Pita Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan". Dera Sacha Sauda.
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  8. ^ "Amid depleting clout, dera chief's kin loses". The Indian Express. 7 March 2012.
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  10. ^ "Dera Sacha Sauda: The key to power in Punjab - Rediff.com News". Rediff.com. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
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  67. ^ "India police probe godman over alleged castration of 400 followers".

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