Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
His name continues to appear in news headlines because of his repeated paroles.
This raises an important question, how can a convicted rapist & murderer remain so politically relevant?
Elections in states like Haryana and Punjab are often decided by small vote margins. Political parties know that even a few thousand votes can influence results in many constituencies.
All thanks to his supporters, whom Gurmeet influences to vote, he changed the image of a traditional spiritual leader. His supporters now see him as a religious leader, as well as a guide, entertainer, and politician.
But alongside this popularity came serious criminal charges.
Ordinary people are repeatedly told that the law is equal for everyone. But when influential people receive repeated paroles, especially around election periods, the question naturally arises.
Is justice truly equal for all?
Technically, parole is legal. Indian prison laws allow temporary release for reasons such as good behaviour, family emergencies, or health.
But we are living in a system where justice often appears selective. Umar Khalid continues to remain without bail or trial for years.
Activist Father Stan Swamy died at the age of 83 in custody after even a basic request for a straw and sipper cup was delayed.
Scientist, education reformer, and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk faced months of detention and restrictions simply for demanding the implementation of the 6th Schedule in Ladakh.
It dosent stop here, Supreme Court judges get Rajya Sabha seats after retirement, former jail official Sunil Sangwan, during whose tenure Ram Rahim got parole, has now joined the BJP.
Many people question whether loyalty and good service are rewarded in Indian politics, or if it is simply influence and power.
When paroles happen repeatedly near elections, people start questioning whether political interests are influencing decisions instead of fairness and equal treatment under the law.
Trust in the judicial system is essential for a democracy, as it stands as one of its most important pillars.
It is shameful to watch celebrations on television when convicted 11 rapists in Gujarat, were given early release in January 2024 in Bilkis Bano case, just because they belonged to a particular community and political connections had an influence.
Happy to here they are sent back to where they belong.
Another important issue is the culture of blind devotion in society. In India, religious leaders, politicians, actors, and influencers are often elevated beyond criticism. Once people become emotionally attached to a public figure, questioning their actions is seen as betrayal instead of responsibility.
Followers of Gurmeet blindly support their organisations “Dera Saccha Sauda”, because mainstream society ignores poor and lower-caste communities.
Governments and institutions also fail to provide these communities with stronger systems of justice, equality, and welfare.
Such people often need social support, and these groups provide them with identity and belonging.
The Gurmeet Ram Rahim case is therefore not just about one individual. It reflects deeper issues in Indian society.
A message to blind followers.
Instead of surrendering your thinking to self-proclaimed Baba’s, read and understand your own religious texts. Faith should encourage awareness and wisdom, not unquestioning obedience.
And if, even after all this, you still find no dignity or equal place for yourself within a rigid hierarchical system, you have every right to question it, reject it, or choose a path that gives you respect and freedom of thought.
Whether that means following another belief system or creating your own understanding of spirituality and humanity.
Citizens also need to reflect honestly.
Democracy becomes stronger only when citizens hold powerful people equally accountable, whether they are religious leaders, celebrities, politicians, or their family WhatsApp groups.
No democracy can function properly if influence becomes more powerful than accountability.
Blog Likha Aisa,
ReplyDeleteJaise Court Mein Cross Questioning Ho .....
Padh Ke Lage
“Bhai Ye Banda Logical Hai” !!!!!
Shabdon Se Banayi Tu Ne Ekdam Badiya Chai,
Har Sip Mein Sach,
Aur Thodi Si Masale Wali Baat Hai !!!!!
Om Shanti ๐๐
Satnam Waheguru ๐๐
Are we truly a functioning and free democracy? The legislature is corrupt. The executive is, too. The judiciary is, perhaps, as corrupt as the other two "pillars". The media has sold it's soul
ReplyDeleteAnd we voters wait for the next lot of freebies.
Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done. Equal laws should apply equally to everyone.
ReplyDeleteA powerful and courageous blog that asks questions many people discuss privately but hesitate to raise publicly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the issue is far bigger than Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The real concern is the growing perception that in India, justice often operates on two different tracks: one for the powerful and another for ordinary citizens.
When a convicted rapist and murderer repeatedly receives parole around politically sensitive periods, citizens are bound to ask whether influence has begun to outweigh accountability. The problem is not merely the legality of parole; it is the appearance of selective application of the law.
The blog could have gone even further by examining the role of governments, prison administrations, political parties, and institutions that facilitate such decisions. If parole after parole is granted, responsibility cannot rest solely with the beneficiary.
One major aspect missing from the blog is the complete story of Dera Sacha Sauda itself. While Gurmeet Ram Rahim's convictions and paroles are discussed, the blog does not fully explore how the organisation built such enormous social, political, and electoral influence. For millions of followers, particularly among economically and socially marginalized communities, the Dera became more than a religious institution. It offered identity, belonging, social support, de-addiction programs, healthcare initiatives, and a sense of community often absent elsewhere. Understanding this reality is essential because Ram Rahim's continuing influence cannot be explained solely through politics or blind faith. To understand why he remains relevant despite serious criminal convictions, one must also understand why so many people were drawn to the Dera in the first place.
Equally important is the broader culture of hero worship. Whether the figure is a godman, politician, actor, or ideological icon, blind loyalty often replaces critical thinking. A democracy weakens when questioning powerful figures becomes unacceptable.
One aspect that deserves greater attention is the silent suffering of victims and their families. Every public celebration of a convicted criminal's release sends a disturbing message about whose voices matter and whose pain is forgotten.
The most troubling question is not whether Gurmeet Ram Rahim received parole. The real question is whether an ordinary prisoner, without followers, political value, media attention, or institutional connections, would have received the same treatment.
The blog also misses another uncomfortable reality. Across India, thousands of undertrials spend years in jail awaiting justice, while influential individuals often appear to navigate the system with far greater ease. Even when such outcomes are legally defensible, they deepen public distrust in institutions.
Justice loses its moral authority not only when it is unfair, but when it appears unfair.
A democracy can survive criticism. What it cannot survive is a growing belief that power determines outcomes more than principles.
Overall, this is a thought-provoking and necessary blog. Yet a deeper examination of the rise of Dera Sacha Sauda, its social footprint, its appeal among marginalized communities, and the reasons behind the enduring loyalty of its followers would have made the analysis even more complete and compelling.
The day citizens start believing that influence matters more than law, democracy may still exist on paper, but justice has already begun to die.
A thought-provoking article that raises important questions about accountability, equality before the law, and the influence of power in a democracy.
ReplyDelete๐๐๐
ReplyDeleteImportant but never ending topic, well written and good you thought to write on it.
ReplyDeleteA major part we ignore is media responsibility, They are watch dogs of the society. How many times they did their job of highting this issue convincingly probably they too are benefited from this. Then comes the elements who purposely make these people big and do their publicity. Recently I saw Asaram posture in religious procession.
Bold and well presented blog... Kudos Dada..
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