Navi Mumbai (KP) - Following the incident in Mumbai, protests have continued in almost all parts of Northern India demanding legal action against Gurmeet Ram Rahim for the death of Shaheed Bhai Balkar Singh this past week. Although the Dera chief is yet to be questioned by the police, at least six people have been booked for interrogations while several mall shopkeepers have been probed. At the same time, the Dera chief has returned to his Sirsa based headquarters where he is enjoying increased personal security.
Ever since appearing in front of his devotees dressed up in attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and parodying the first Amrit Sanchar, the Dera chief has been causing major burdens to State Governments. Along with spending huge sums of money to ensure his security, State Governments have had to deal with large protests and public outcry. However, no legal action has yet been taken against the chief even though strong proof is available against Gurmeet Ram Rahim for not only hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, but for his involvement in two murder cases and multiple cases of rape.
This past week, shortly after the shooting in Mumbai, Gurmeet Ram Rahim traveled to his Mysore based dera. Experiencing heavy protests from Sikhs in different parts of Karnatka, the dera chief was officially asked by the
Mysore police to leave the State immeditely. Through the New Delhi Airport, the Dera chief landed in his Haryana based cricket stadium on a private helicopter where thousands of people awaited his arrival along with press reporters. Despite there being heavy security, no members of the press were allowed to enter the stadium. The dera chief then left for his private underground residence along with his personal security force. Rapid Action Forces have been deployed in Haryana, along with a company of B.S.F. for the security of the Dera Chief at the expense of the Government.
On the other hand, Sikh Sangat numbering in the thousands gathered near Mulund railway station to cremate Shaheed Bhai Balkar Singh. His body was carried in a truck followed by a huge procession of Sikhs. The cremation ceremony was carried out around 6:30 PM and was well attended by representatives of almost all Panthic organizations.
Sikh leaders vowed to get justice for Bhai Balkar Singh's martyrdom and suggested that the Government should arrest the Dera Chief soon as he has continued to hurt Sikh sentiments. Bhai Balkar Singh was honored as a
martyr of the Panth by Sikh representatives.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has asked for a judicial probe into the Mumbai incidents. Several of the organization's officials traveled to Mumbai to show their support for the community there. While addressing the press at a conference in Mumbai, SGPC President Avtar Makkar said that a memorandum has been submitted to RP Patil, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, for ensuring strong action against Gurmeet Ram Rahim. At a meeting in Sholapur, RP Patil, who has held meetings with Sikh delegates on this matter, said that the Maharashtra Government might impose a one year ban on Gurmeet Ram Rahim from entering the State.
Avtar Makkar appreciated the hard work of RP Patil and said that the protests by the Sikh community were spontaneous as the community was upset by the shooting in Mulund. He stated that if the State and Centre
Government showed more interest in Sikh matters, all the protests could be halted.
After the martyrdom of Bhai Balkar Singh and the arrests of Sikhs after the incident, Sikh Sangat has organized several 'rail-blockage' operations in which no trains have been allowed to leave or enter railway stations. These
protests were held in Mulund and Punjab to seek the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his bodyguard.
