Angry on alleged mishandling of Ram Rahim's case Dera may support Congress

The followers are apprehensive to BJP government's mishandling of the case but appreciative to the outreach of Congress' Ashok Tanwar

Amid speculations to announce support to a political party in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) organised a show of strength at its headquarters in Sirsa to commemorate its 71^st foundation day on April, 29. The gathering of around a million followers, as claimed by the officials of DSS, is being seen as revival of the socio-religious body that was almost written off after conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2017.

In the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the Dera has been openly extending support to one political party or the other in Haryana and Punjab where it has significant followers. It is considered that the support of Dera was crucial for the win of Bharatiya Janata Party in Haryana Assembly elections 2015. The BJP leaders including the Chief Minister Manohar Lal and his cabinet colleagues had also reciprocated by making several visits to DSS headquarters in Sirsa. Even the Dera chief was invited in a function of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was summoned by the court the BJP leaders made an arms distance. Although, the celebration on April 29 was purely a religious but it was not without a political message.

Congress' candidate from Sirsa and Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar joined the celebrations of the foundation day of DSS. In his presence, the followers of the Dera reportedly expressed displeasure on mishandling of Dera chief's case by the state government. The maximum followers were of the opinion that those who mishandled Ram Rahim's court case do not deserve their vote. They are also angry with the sitting MP Charanjeet Singh Rori of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Furthermore, the followers of Dera believe that the family infighting of INLD has dwarfed its political significance in the region. However, DSS has not explicitly announced support to any political party but the followers were seen appreciating the outreach of Tanwar.

Ram Rahim was sentenced for 20 years in jail in a rape case on August 28, 2017. He is presently in Rohtak district jail of Haryana. The Dera is presently managed by Shobha Insan, Senior Vice Chairperson and Dr. Nain Insan, Senior Vice Chairperson.