Gurugram: Religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has walked out of Sunaria jail in Rohtak on a 20-day parole, just days ahead of the Haryana assembly elections—a development, analysts say, may benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, while others remain skeptical about his influence on followers.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has specified three conditions for the parole of the rape and murder convict. According to these, he must not stay in Haryana and is prohibited from engaging in any political activities. He must also not engage in campaign activities on social media. The poll body has also said his parole would be cancelled if he violates the model code of conduct or any of the three conditions.
Voting in Haryana is scheduled for 5 October, with results to be announced three days later. Due to his significant influence in 36 assembly seats in Haryana, Ram Rahim’s parole is being closely linked to the elections.
Interestingly, much before Ram Rahim’s application for a 20-day emergency parole came to light, the Dera Sacha Sauda’s state and block committee members across Haryana were mobilising followers to vote as a unified bloc for specific candidates, ensuring no division of votes. A source from the Dera revealed that meetings were being held under Dera programmes, emphasising “unity” as the key agenda.
“The sangat (followers) are being told that 100 percent votes should go to designated candidates,” the source said. Previously, despite instructions, some votes were split due to local factors, but now there is a stronger push to ensure all followers vote collectively, he added.
Even though the Dera’s political wing was dissolved post the 2017 conviction of chief Ram Rahim Singh, block committees—comprising 15 members each—have been coordinating directly with the 85-member state committee of the religious body in Sirsa. This committee reports to the overall top leadership of the Dera.
‘Desperate attempt by BJP’
When asked which political party the Dera planned to support, the source said, “Traditionally, the name of the party or candidates is conveyed to the sangat a day before polling.”
Referring to previous statements made by Ram Rahim Singh, especially regarding the consecration of the Ram Temple, the source hinted that the Dera’s support appeared to lean towards the BJP. However, the specific party and candidates the Dera is supporting will only be announced closer to election day, he added.
Bittu Insan, who handles the Dera’s media wing, denied any political involvement, saying, “The political affairs wing was dissolved as per Pitaji’s (Ram Rahim) instructions after the 2017 court ruling. To my knowledge, there is no political activity happening within the Dera or its committees.” Nonetheless, internal sources indicate otherwise, with preparations underway to ensure followers vote together this time.
Political analyst Mahabir Jaglan said that Ram Rahim’s release was the last desperate effort by the ruling BJP to retain power in the state.
“Ram Rahim’s release will surely have a bearing on the polling in favour of the ruling party, but it is unlikely to impact the outcome of the elections. Once people have made up their minds to oust a government, such factors don’t have much impact,” Jaglan told The Print Tuesday.
“After all, Dera followers are not aliens. They are from Haryana and they are also affected by the policies of the government the way others are. So, to assume that 100 percent of followers will vote the way Dera wants is not correct.”
Shivansh Mishra, political analyst and podcaster, said that the “timely” release of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief may have significant political implications, particularly for the BJP, which has been in power for the last two terms.
“His previous paroles have coincided with elections, leading to accusations that the ruling BJP sought to leverage his influence over a substantial voter base to counteract anti-incumbency sentiments. Ram Rahim’s support has historically benefited the BJP, and his current parole request and release can be viewed as strategically timed to maximise electoral impact,” Mishra added.
He said that the release may lead to polarisation of votes as Ram Rahim has a mass following in the state, adding that opposition parties would now question it as a case of favouritism in decisions pertaining to parole.
Incidentally, media advisor to former Haryana Congress chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Sunil Parti, refused to be drawn into the matter.
‘Ram Rahim entitled to paroles’
Ashok Chhabra, co-incharge of the BJP media cell in Haryana, played down Ram Rahim’s release and said it had nothing to do with the elections.
“The Dera Sacha Sauda chief is a religious person and his release must not be linked with the Haryana elections. Like any other prisoner, Ram Rahim is entitled to temporary releases from time to time and he is free to choose the time of his application for parole,” Chhabra said.
Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder. He said that he would be staying at Barnawa Ashram in Uttar Pradesh during this parole. In August, Ram Rahim was released for 21 days on furlough.
On 25 August, 2017, Ram Rahim was convicted of raping two female disciples and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. He has been lodged in Sunaria jail ever since.
On 11 January, 2019, he was convicted for the murder of journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also convicted in 2021 for the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh, but was acquitted in May this year.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)