Bathinda, February 28
Just a day after the widespread violence, a high-level delegation of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, comprising some members from its 25-member state executive body, flatly denied any role of the Dera in the whole episode.
Accusing the Central government of falsely implicating Dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim in a two decade old murder case, hundreds of Dera followers today staged a dharna outside the Mini-secretariat, here today. Despite being encircled by a strong posse of policemen, including senior officials, the Dera followers raised anti-establishment slogans and demanded the cancellation of the case.
Speaking through loudspeakers, some of the protesters announced that they would continue the dharna till the administration ensured the unconditional release of their colleagues, who were arrested on Saturday evening.
Later, a delegation went to the residence of the Deputy Commissioner to submit a memorandum to him for forwarding it to the Union government.
The memorandum mentioned: “We demand that the false case should be cancelled, otherwise, it may incite the religious sentiments of the large population of Dera followers, for which the Union government and the administration would be directly responsible.”
Receiving an assurance from the outgoing DC of Bathinda, Rahul Tewari, the delegates held a press briefing at the DC’s residence itself.
They flatly denied any direct or indirect role of the Dera Sacha Sauda in the widespread violence on Saturday evening.
Condemning the violence, Gora Lal, a member of the state committee of the sect, said, “Hurt over the incidents of violence, the Dera chief especially sent three of us to take an account of the situation and has urged all to maintain law and order.”
When questioned about the arrest of Dera followers, the members of the delegation said, “We have been collecting details to ascertain whether those arrested belong to the Dera or not. Chances are high that the violence could be the handiwork of some mischievous elements with the aim of defaming the Dera which always spreads the message of brotherhood and peace.”
“Doing its best for social causes, the Dera is emerging as a problem for political leaders, who have started finding the sect as a hurdle in their growth,” they added.
Replying to a query, an aggressive Dera follower Veer Pal Kaur said, “If all this had been done by the Dera followers, then it would have started from Bathinda city. Moreover, it could be the worst affected city of Punjab in such a scenario as a large populace of the city is of Dera followers, who remain ready to make any sacrifice for the Dera chief.”
Later, the delegation members held meeting with their colleagues and lifted the dharna.
It may be mentioned that the effects of Saturday’s incidents of violence was evident throughout the day. An uneasy calm prevailed in the district as all roads remained cordoned off but the markets and transportation services were the worst affected. Sources informed that all buses of the Badals-owned Orbit Transport Company also remained off road today.
Just a day after the widespread violence, a high-level delegation of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, comprising some members from its 25-member state executive body, flatly denied any role of the Dera in the whole episode.
 PRTC buses parked at Bathinda bus stand. Tribune photographs |
Accusing the Central government of falsely implicating Dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim in a two decade old murder case, hundreds of Dera followers today staged a dharna outside the Mini-secretariat, here today. Despite being encircled by a strong posse of policemen, including senior officials, the Dera followers raised anti-establishment slogans and demanded the cancellation of the case.
Speaking through loudspeakers, some of the protesters announced that they would continue the dharna till the administration ensured the unconditional release of their colleagues, who were arrested on Saturday evening.
Later, a delegation went to the residence of the Deputy Commissioner to submit a memorandum to him for forwarding it to the Union government.
The memorandum mentioned: “We demand that the false case should be cancelled, otherwise, it may incite the religious sentiments of the large population of Dera followers, for which the Union government and the administration would be directly responsible.”
Receiving an assurance from the outgoing DC of Bathinda, Rahul Tewari, the delegates held a press briefing at the DC’s residence itself.
They flatly denied any direct or indirect role of the Dera Sacha Sauda in the widespread violence on Saturday evening.
Condemning the violence, Gora Lal, a member of the state committee of the sect, said, “Hurt over the incidents of violence, the Dera chief especially sent three of us to take an account of the situation and has urged all to maintain law and order.”
When questioned about the arrest of Dera followers, the members of the delegation said, “We have been collecting details to ascertain whether those arrested belong to the Dera or not. Chances are high that the violence could be the handiwork of some mischievous elements with the aim of defaming the Dera which always spreads the message of brotherhood and peace.”
“Doing its best for social causes, the Dera is emerging as a problem for political leaders, who have started finding the sect as a hurdle in their growth,” they added.
Replying to a query, an aggressive Dera follower Veer Pal Kaur said, “If all this had been done by the Dera followers, then it would have started from Bathinda city. Moreover, it could be the worst affected city of Punjab in such a scenario as a large populace of the city is of Dera followers, who remain ready to make any sacrifice for the Dera chief.”
Later, the delegation members held meeting with their colleagues and lifted the dharna.
It may be mentioned that the effects of Saturday’s incidents of violence was evident throughout the day. An uneasy calm prevailed in the district as all roads remained cordoned off but the markets and transportation services were the worst affected. Sources informed that all buses of the Badals-owned Orbit Transport Company also remained off road today.
Bathinda transport
ReplyDeleteGet truck transportation. We are a certified and great experience transport company in Bathinda. We are providing best transport service in Bathinda like army, office household goods etc.