CHANDIGARH: Post the Panchkula mayhem and the alleged pre-planned violence by Dera supporters that resulted in the loss of 31 innocent lives, questions are being raised on how and why BJP elicited support of a controversial self-styled Godman, who was accused of rape and murder.
Like Haryana, in Punjab too, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that ruled the state for two consecutive terms in tandem with BJP had bowed before this controversial figure despite his indictment by the Sikh clergy.
In 2012, too, the Dera’s silent support for the Akalis for the upcoming Assembly elections is well-known. Defending their stand SAD spokesman Daljeet Singh Cheema claimed that individual leaders went and sought support, the party did not.
In fact, even now the SAD has shied away from issuing a statement condemning Ram Rahim. This ‘unholy’ nexus shows that political parties can stoop to any levels to capture power. Now with the arrest of the Dera chief, the parties will have to scout around for a new ‘baba’ or think out of the box to woo voters.
In 2015, a sudden grant of pardon to the Dera chief by the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) in a case of blasphemy—he had tried to pose as Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru in 2007—without his making a fresh plea along with the decision to not impose a ban on his film MSG2 was seen as too much of a coincidence.
In the 2014 Assembly polls in Haryana, the Dera had openly supported the BJP and the party swept the polls and formed the government in the state for the first time on its own. Ram Rahim allegedly has around 50 lakh followers across Haryan and Punjab.
The Dera also openly supported the saffron party in Haryana in the general elections in 2014. Many saffron leaders were seen visiting the Dera, including now Cabinet ministers Krishan Lal Panwar, Krishan Bedi, Nayab Saini, and Manish Grove. Also, now Haryana BJP president Subash Barwala visited the Dera. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also praised the Dera for its ‘social works’.
Haryana BJP leader Jawahar Yadav, who admitted to seeking Ram Rahim’s blessings before the elections, claims the government took action to stop the mob on Friday. “The police fired. During 1984 riots in Delhi, police were silent spectators,’’ he added, for reasons best known to him. He also said that the Dera does a lot of good social work like blood donation, tree plantation, and so on. Ram Rahim had also extended support for the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab in the Assembly elections this year.
It is not just the saffron brigade that lined up for this self-proclaimed Godman’s support. Earlier he had also supported the Congress and the party formed the government in Punjab in 2002. He also supported the Grand Old Party in the 2004 general elections and 2007 Assembly elections.