Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a life sentence for rape and murder, has been granted parole ahead of the Haryana elections. While barred from political activities by the Election Commission, his sect’s influence on voters remains significant.
Politicians often seek the dera’s support due to Ram Rahim’s sway over Dalit communities in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Despite the dera’s political wing dissolving last year, insiders claim followers have previously voted en bloc, and meetings are reportedly underway to decide on a party for the upcoming elections.
This is Ram Rahim’s 12th parole, five of which have occurred before elections. Concerns over his influence on voters persist, as his supporters have been known to collectively back parties, often with decisions communicated shortly before polls.
Despite denials from dera spokesperson Jitendra Khurana, journalist Anurag Tripathi notes that Ram Rahim has been politically aligned with the BJP since Narendra Modi’s rise.
Dera followers in villages like Bambura and Shahpur Begu acknowledge that voting is often guided by the sect’s decisions, with instructions quickly disseminated to ensure unity.
