Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Booked for Hurting Religious Sentiments While on Parole

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been booked on charges of allegedly hurting religious sentiments by defaming Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir. The incident involves a YouTube video posted on February 5 wherein Ram Rahim Singh made some objectionable comments on the two famous poets.

Jalandhar Rural police shared that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been booked following a complaint filed by Jassi Talhan, chief of the Guru Ravidas Tiger Force. He claimed that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief made some objectionable comments against Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir. A YouTube video of the incident posted on the channel “DR MSG TOPIC” was cited in the complaint.

As per the complaint, “In a video, Ram Rahim could be heard quoting concocted stories about both Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir. He used unacceptable and controversial words in the video besides invoking a completely false comparison of both the saintly figures.”

The case has been registered under section 295 A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR was lodged in March 7 and the police is further investigating the case. Jalandhar rural’s senior superintendent of police Swarandeep Singh stated that the case was registered after a preliminary investigation.

Ram Rahim Singh was on parole while he allegedly defamed the two poets. He is serving a 20-year jail term in Rohtak’s Sunaria prison in Haryana for raping two disciples. He was granted a 40-day parole on January 20.

Vineet Washington