How Dera Sacha Sauda Spreads Its Wings

Source: Its chief at the centre of a row, Dera Sacha Sauda spreads its wings - IndianExpress.Com

Its chief at the centre of a row, Dera Sacha Sauda spreads its wings


The Indian Express - NAVJEEVAN GOPAL
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the past one year but this has not affected the sect in spreading its tentacles across India. Over the years, the religious body has brought in its fold people from all sections of the society regardless of caste, creed, race and religion and now boasts of a following of 2.25 crore.

The controversy surrounding the sect sparked off in May 2007 with the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh allegedly imitating Guru Gobind Singh in a ceremony that emulated the creation of the Khalsa. Soon after he was charged with raping a disciple and murdering two men, including a journalist.

The Dera chief got into a fresh row recently after a youth was killed and two others were injured when his bodyguard opened fire on Sikh protesters in Mumbai on June 20.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/22193-how-dera-sacha-sauda-spreads-its.html

“Before the Dera row started, we had been constructing houses for the poor — almost 10 to 15 per year for the last 10 years in Bathinda district alone. The poor people associated with Dera get spiritual as well as monetary benefits,” said Gurdev Singh, president of Bathinda block level committee of the sect.

The Dera activities include construction of houses for the poor on the recommendation of Dera committee heads at the village level, block level and district level. The organization also organises eye and blood donation camps. By registering 15,432 blood donors at a camp in Sirsa in December 2003 it had made it to the Guinness Book of World Records and broke its own record in October 2004 with 17,921 blood donors at a camp in Sriganganagar.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193

The Dera Sacha Sauda has about 50 Deras in 19 states in India. In Punjab, there are three Deras, the largest being Salabatpura, spread over 100 acres. Besides, it has a number of Naam Charcha Ghar (Religious Discourse Houses) across the country. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh are among the main states where Dera has a huge following.

Dr Aditya Insan, the sect’s spokesperson, said the religious body today has a following of 2.25 crore who are registered with the Dera for meditation.

Free health and educational facilities attract the poor from all sects and cast to its fold. But, most importantly it appeared to be the identity crisis among the lower strata of society that helped Dera get a huge following. The neglected, looked down upon and alienated lower classes of different religions got an identity after coming to the Dera, say experts.

“The lower strata of society strive for an identity and that well explains the Dera Sacha Sauda mass base of landless laborers,” said Parmod Kumar, director of Chandigarh-based Institute of Development and Communication. “Another reason for the people’s shift towards the Dera culture is that the dominant religions do not change with time and Punjab has been a place where the atmosphere is congenial for the emergence of new religions,” added Kumar.

“Most are from the mobile population that does not have much faith in religion and adopting to the Dera culture is easier for them, as they believe in so called living gods. The weekly congregations, which they consider a world away from their world of problems give solace to their minds,” observed Dr R S Sandhu, Head of the Department of Political Science in Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar.

Experts believe that Dera’s initiative to pursue people to abstain from all kinds of drugs has also appealed to the rural women, who feel that coming in the Dera fold was the best way to keep their husbands away from drugs.

The Dera managements claims no Maatha Tikai (monetary offerings) are taken from people except in case of donations for disaster management operations that is undertaken by the religious body.

The Dera management claims agricultural produce from its own fields at Sirsa, which is spread over a sprawling 500 acres, is the only source of money apart from selling products like Sach brand of jams and sauce.

A variety of crops are sown in the Dera land and the majority of it is sold to its followers, who buy the produce considering it as the parsad from the Baba. With the followers offering voluntary service, Dera also never feels the labour problems.

 
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I think main reason of dera's succes is that it approached poor people.Unfortunately all the indian religions are religion of rich people.That's why christian missionaries,Dera sacha sauda are succes because they approach poor persons.If some sikh missionaries instead of fighting over useless issues have tried to approached poors and downtrodden then many many problems of our community would have been solved.

If all that is stated in the news-item is believed to be true, there is no harm if the Dera caries out humanitarian activities. It is doing good service to humanity. If SGPC cannot take a decision let the people decide if they like sikhism or Dera.There is democracy here and Dera is not doing anything under duress or compulsion.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193
Let SGPC also learn as to how to serve the poor and as to how to take them in fold of sikhism. I do agree with the observations of Kds80 ji as above.
I do not think if SGPC appear as a functional organisation.It is never heard in the news even.

ECONOMICS OF THE DERAS :
I wish to clear some plain facts about the mushrooming growth of Deras especially in Punjab . The mother of this is elecoral politics . It is a known fact that in Indian elections votes r sold at a price to political parties , however the exact modus operandi is unclear to many . This is how it works :
There r following political elections held in all states but rates mentioned r specific to Punjab only ; 1. Panchayat Elections , Rate per vote is 5000- 7000 Indian rupees for election of Panches , a furthur expense of 1000/ per vote is incurred to buy Panches for election of the Sarpanch . 2 Block Samiti Elections : Rate per vote is 1000-2000 , liquor bottles , Poppy husk & few hunderes rupees do the trick 3 . Muncipal Committee Elections : Rate is again 1000 - 2000 per vote , same means r used for diostribution 4 . Muncipal Corporation Elections ( For Big Cities ) : Rate is 2000-2500 per vote for electing councillors , a furthur expense of 500 is made for electing Mayor . 5 . Lok Sabha Elections : Rate is 1000-2000 per vote . 6 . Assembly Elections : This is the mother of all elections . Rate is 6000- 8000 per vote , morover the winner takes the all important Chief Minister Ship chair . So in total a vote costs ( Earns ) Rs 16,000 - 25000 ( 400 USD to 625 USD ) in all 5 years . All the Deras , all they have to do is to invite some political leader to some big SATSANG & that political leader pays his RESPECTS to Dera Chief in front of DEVOTEES The leader gets the unusual big crowd , the public gets to see the amount of CLOUT OF BABAJI & to top it all the BABAJI gets his DUE SHARE proportionately . Each vote multiplied by 16,000 to 25,000 Rupees . This BOOTY is in the form of CASH & KIND like land allotment , posting of police officers teachers , health workers , transfers of various officials to PLUM places . Some months back Radha Soami Satsang Beas came to light when they GRABBED a prime real eastate land in Mohali worth about 2800 - 3,000 Crores ( 700 Million USD ) in Mohali for peanuts . The ruckus in press & media forced them to forego 50 % of that land . Still they got to keep land woth 350 Million US Dollars . The Sacha Sauda DeraChief had his Brother In Law ( Harminder Singh Jassi ) a Congress Ticket from Bhatinda superseding Surinder Singla & a promise of withdrawl of CBI enquiry against him various cases of rape , Murdur etc . In 2002 Sonia Gandhi visited RSS Beas just before elections at Beas headquarter & spent a full day there to inagaurate an EYE DONATION CAMP alonwith Natwar Singh , Amarinder Singh , Murli Deora among others . On 30th March , 2008 , LK Advani visited Maharaj Gurinder Singh , Dera head at RSS , Beas . According to known eyewitnesses , the Baba saluted Advani while greeting him . The Akais r also playing this game of FAITH & POLITICS albiet differently . The so called Panthic Party SAD ( Badal ) has a SECULAR CONSTITUTION under which it fights SGPC elections . It treats Sikh votes under the influence of Gurudwaras as a free BONUS VOTE , Ghar di murgi dal barabar . But spends the same rate to get votes from Deras as Congress or now new player in the game BJP . As aresult Deras r wooed by all parties & Deras r rolling in money but traditional Sikh Voter is left high & dry . Gurudwaras get nothing in return , SGPC budget is spent on election rallies & horse trading of SAD ( Badal ) . The preaching of Sikhism is left to Non- Government institutions like Sikh Missionary College , Ludhiana & Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle , Ludhiana . They r not at all helped by Akalis or SGPC financially ., rather hurdles r put in their way . Gurudwaras r controlled by Jats , Dalits r discriminated against in villages . As a result nobody is willing to take the issues of Sikhs , Dera supporters r active in almost every sphere be it Panchayats , Corporations .Some serious introspection is required for revival of Sikhism & slow down this Mushrooming Deras in Punjab

SAT SRI AKAL

this is for ur information that almost 40% of the dera followers r sikhs .
oops .

Gurfateh
As das with afew similar minded people(not same minded) were there to guide RSS personals about the Sikhs issue.

we have the following statement being made by them about this issue.

Before das posts them das would like to add the Baba Was forced out of Karnataka and soon we may have his Ashram demolished.

We in RSS are opposed to Bala Sahib Thakre and his gimmikery and will soon be issuing some staments(das has old score to be sttled with him for his disrespects to Biharis and noth Indians)Brother Rajkhalsa ji will elaborate this.(Shiv Saink themselves have shown vandlisation,and that is something Mahrashtrian them these Sikhs have followed Mahrshtriyan culture(as most Sikhs are of Mahrshtiryan origion who showed thier grit,So it is internal matter of Mahrashtra).

We have noted dowen the disrespect shown to Hindus by this Baba in question also and in two states in India ruled by RSS,he is having a tought time.In states ruled by BJP we have some limted success.While in states we have coalition success is still less.(for an outside it looks a bit all the same but RSS,BJP and Shiv Sena are greatly difernt).

Last word term terrosits is refred to Gurjant Singh Rajsthani in one statement.Das objected this term for Militants/Freedom fighters.Das was told that this person was planted by GOI to bring dowen the repute of movement run by pious.

refer to the site.

Welcome To Sangat Sansar

Das also requests the panel of moderaters that they are free to delete any thing they find anti Panthic and kindly inform that to das so that he can rectify that mistake.

PROTECTION OF DERA SADH BY HOODA GOVT., A CONGRESS
Now Dera Sadh has reached his Sirsa headquarter. He came to Sirsa by helicopter under heavy security given by Haryana Government. Hooda Govt. has given him protection just to repeat the 13th April 1978 episode, in which 13 Sikhs were killed and that resulted in creating bad political scenario of Punjab. Congress is playing a dangerous game just to garner few vote. With an eye on the general election, they have shaken the hand with devisive forces.Punjab’s Congress leader and ex-chief minister S. Amrinder Singh is the man behind Dera Sadh and anti-Dasam Granth forces. Nehru-vians are bent upon destroying the great philosophy of ‘ KHANDEY KI PAHUL’. Congrss’s second pawn S. Paramjeet Singh Sarna is also playing a tricky game wih the his sole aim to benefit Sonia Gandhi……………And ofcourse , Sonia Gandhi represents those forces, who had converted our Maharaja Dalip Singh ji (the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji) into a Christian.
-JAGJIVAN JOT SINGH ANAND
GURCHARAN SINGH GILL TALKED WITH CM-KARNATAKA AND HOME MINISTER-KARNATAKA
When Paramjeet Singh Sarna have been started playing the ‘ CONGRESS CARD’ by blaming the Karnataka Government of BJP in the episode of Dera Sauda Sadh shootout, national President S. Gurcharan Singh Gill talked with Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B.S. Yedduruppa and Karnataka Home Minister Dr. V.C. Acharya on telephone and told them his concern about the reactions after the event of shootout. Both C.M. and Home Minister assured him that they will keep vigilant eyes on Dera Sadh and are against his conversion drive. According to Home Minister Dr. V.C. Acharya, if Maharashtra Govt. books Dera Sadh as an accused in the shootout case, Karnataka Govt. will arrest him immediately.
As per latest news Dera Sadh is at his Sirsa Dera.
Without any base, Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee president S. Paramjit Singh Sarna attacked the Karnataka Govt. just to keep his master Sonia Gandhi happy S. Paramjit Singh Sarna should answer the following points-
1. When Maharasthra Govt. did not booked Dera Sadh as an accused in the shootout case, why did Sarna remain silent?
2. When S. Paramjit Singh Sarna was asking for the arrest of Dera Sadh why did he not critise the Maharasthra Govt.?
3. When policemen mercilessly have beaten the agitated Sikhs of Mumbai, why did S. Paramjit Singh Sarna remain silent?
4. When Dera Sadh went for oneday visit to Mysore-Karnataka, S. Paramjit Singh Sarna made a statement against Karnataka Govt. Was it game plan of Sarna to make Sonia Gandhi happy?
5. Why is S. Paramjit Singh Sarna is defending congress as well as in directly supporting Mrs. Sonia Gandhi? Is he a Sikh or a taut of Christian Missionaries?
6. Is Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Dera Sadh, Amrinder Singh, anti Dasam Granth news paper and S. Paramjit Singh Sarna are working as a group to make situation difficult for Nationalist Sikh Forces.


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RASHTRIYA PRAKOSHTH PRAMUKH
SANGAT PRAKASHAN


Dera Saccha Sauda a statregic weapon of Christian Missionaries

With sole purpose of diverting people of different sects, Dera Saccha Sauda Sadh is helping the forgein aided Christian Missionaries. In the villages of Punjab and Haryana, when a person changes his religion, he is opposed by his family men and whole village. Dera Saccha Sauda is using four symbols-Om, Cross, Moon-Star, Ek Onkar. Now, if somebody joins Dera Saccha Sauda, he will start living under the umberalla of these four symbols. This will be his primary step towards Christianity. In the land of Guru Sahibans, Christian Missionaries have come with a new statregic weapon of Dera Saccha Sauda. Silently converting forgein going Sikh youths and making them PATIT, is their other policy. One should remember that the people of Punjab and Haryana are against the symbols of Cross and Moon-Star.
-JAGJIVAN JOT SINGH ANAND
RASHTRIYA PRAKOSHTH PRAMUKH
SANGAT PRAKASHAN

SAUDA SADH SHOULD BE ARRESTED, LENIENCY MEANS FLITHY POLITICAL DESIGNS: GURCHARAN SINGH GILL
The way bodyguards of Sauda Sadh showered bullets on the Sikhs, beyond doubt
it proves the heinious crime was commited by them. RASHTRIYA SIKH SANGAT
demand the arrest of Sauda Sadh.. Maharashtra government should act responsibly in accordance with the law.
If Haryana Government or any other Govt. machinery gave security to Sauda Sadh, what was the need to have addition private army? TV Channels are showing that his bodyguards were responsible for the shoot-out. There exists a strong prima facie case against Sauda Sadh. The way Maharashtra Government gave safe passage to Sauda Sadh, it indicates the leniency, which shows arrow towards narrow, filthy political designs.
At the same time, RASHTRIYA SIKH SANGAT appeal to the whole society, particular the Sikh masses, to remain peaceful and thrash devisive forces.
GURCHARAN SINGH GILL
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
RASHTRIYA SIKH SANGAT


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PAST TERROR-HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF:

Sauda Sadh Ram Rahim had been a side-kick of Gurjunt Singh Rajasthani, a dreaded terrorist during bad phase of Punjab. What happened in Mumbai is just repetition of old terror history of Ram Rahim.
First MTV episode, SINGH IS KING episode¡K..and now Ram Rahim- Sikh clash¡Kat Mumbai. The direction of the vector shows that political scenario of the country is going through a transition period and Nehru-vians are active. Whole Indian society and particularly Sikh masses always follow the path of Guru Sahibans. On other hand,. creating choase by political elements, Nehru-vians want to prove that they are the only ¡¥ Secularists¡¦ and other are just bad people. We should always remember that our philosophy of ¡¥Sanjhiwalta¡¦ is a superior than their so called ¡¥Secularism¡¦. This time ¡¥ Sikhs will prove them wrong in the eyes of the common people.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193
SABE SAJHIWAL SADAYEN KOI NA DISEY BAHIRA JIO

ƒÞ JAGJIVAN JOT SINGH ANAND,
ƒÞ RASHTRIYA PRAKOSHTH PRAMUKH
ƒÞ SANGAT PRAKASHAN
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193
NEWS:Sauda clash in Mumbai kills 1,injured2

When few local Sikhs went to Nirmal Lifestyle Mall, they were stoped because Sauda sadh was doing shopping . Sikhs protested against this indiscrimination. A protest in Mulund against Ram Rahim Sauda Sadh spiralled into a violent clash, claiming the life of one agitator on Friday.
Sauda Sadh, who has been the target of Sikh ire after he dressed up as Guru Gobind Singh in May last year was at Nirmal Lifestyle mall when his bodyguards stopped other sikh customers from entering. As a result his path was blocked by Sikh protesters. The standoff intensified when the Dera chief¡¦s bodyguards fired few rounds even as Sadh was whisked away.
One of the protesters, Barkarar Singh, was badly injured and rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.Two other also injured.
Sauda Sadh motorcade was intercepted by the police in Panvel. He is holding a camp, where he was headed.
Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor said a team has been dispatched to arrest the bodyguard. Till now, three bodygauards are arrested. Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal talked with Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh.
After the firing, over 1,0000 Sikhs blocked traffic in Bhandup

Gurfateh
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193

Frankyl speaking Dera is more sort of commercial orgainsation run with managers and with political back support and alas,in SGPC many of our leaders are semi litrate.Our misioanries are all the more unscintific(while claiming the marxisit apporaoch as scieintific).Who else could fight.

At the most so far we have been sucessful to not this issue be Sikhs v/s Hindus as it happened duirng Niranakaris and turmoil came.But we do not know that till how long we will hold the fort.As large numbe rof Elements in BJP and Arya Samajis intrueded in Sangh,in Punjab may find soft corner for dera guys.Yet so far we are heavy on them.In contrast if we read last month indiaawareness from www.indiaawareness.com ,which is in fact name changed for spokesman,so that it could be sold in Delhi Gurudwaras else Akal Takhat will get and issue agaisnt congress controlled DSGPC(as spokeman has been banned by Akal Takhat for using insulting language for Akal Takhat Sahib and his care takers).From them the opposition towards Dera guys is not that strong and further,they have been telling us to show restraint.Why?

Why they show soft corner towards highly castists and conservative anti Baba Balbeer Singh faction of Nihungs(the same nihungs who still will not share his food with lower castes,while these magzines tell that Sikhism has no caste, once made mockery of Nihungs for having castes)Surprising thing is that one who heads the Budhadal now is Anti Caste and even prfers to install only Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Gurudwaras.Yet he si opposed why?

Reason is simple.
Behind spokeman,Behind Joginder Singh Rakba,Behind Dera of Sirsa ,one person is working.The King Amrinder Singh.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193

He is having an enqury conducted against him by Natianal level of Congress.REason is his showing autocratic ways and desrespect to stounch congress persons like Smt. Bhattal(she reamained in congress even when Captain /king defeced to Akalis).So king wants that let there be a turmoil.So let Madam Sonia calls him back and by pulling back the strings,he will bring back the peace.This das thinks is the game plam.

Real player hidden behind the scene.

time Has Come For Youth Take Over The Sgpc And Akali Dal, I Encourage Vijaydeep Singh Ji, Dalbirk And Others Who Have Real Concerns Otherwise These Guys Are Selling It Bit By Bit.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080626/punjab1.htm#4


Amritsar, June 25
Inept handling of the Dera Sacha Sauda issue by the SGPC, Akal Takht and the Shiromani Akali Dal seems to have resulted inthe hijacking of the agenda by radical Sikhs leading to complicating the situation.


Instead of taking a clear stand, the Sikh clerics chose the middle path while discussing the apology tendered by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on May 29 last year at a meeting at Akal Takht secretariat.

Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Patna Sahib, alleged he was under pressure from Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, to take a “lenient view” regarding the Dera Sacha Sauda chief. He alleged that Jathedar, Akal Takht, was under pressure from the Akali Dal and the SGPC. Such decisions gave much space to hardliners to hijack the matter.

The Jathedar, Akal Takht, is again abroad. He has not issued any statement urging the community to maintain peace
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193

In an attempt to defuse the Dera Sacha Sauda issue, the Sikh clerics had adopted a midway approach by adopting a Gurmatta that neither rejected nor accepted the apology tendered by the Dera chief for hurting Sikh sentiments at Salabatpura in Bathinda district on May 13 last year. Then the venue was shifted from Akal Takht to Bathinda district by announcing that the call to boycott the Dera made from Takht Damdama Sahib on May 17 would continue. This step on the part of Sikh high priests resulted in ****** incidents because the situation had gone out of control after the Sikh conclave at Damdama Sahib.

Later, Balwant Singh Nandgarh,Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, gave a call to assassinate the Dera Sacha Sauda chief while addressing a gathering on May 19 last year with a view to defusing the situation at the cremation of Kanwaljit Singh, who was killed in firing at Sunam (Sangrur). However, the Jathedar, Nandgarh, was virtually humiliated by Jathedars of other Takhts for not supporting him when he was on dharna on the Rajasthan border in February this year. Finally, Jathedar, Nandgarh, had to lift the dharna because there was no support coming from any quarter though he had announced “Come what may, I will lead the Khalsa March in Rajasthan as announced after the Ardas (prayer)”.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=22193

Though the route of the Khalsa March, taken from Fatehgarh Sahib on May 31 last year was shortened at the behest of the SAD though Akal Takht had announced it would culminate in Chandigarh and memorandum would be submitted to Governors of Punjab and Haryana. Instead an ADC to Governor, Punjab reached Fatehgarh Sahib to collect the memorandum.

Now SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has decided to rush to Mumbai tomorrow following the high-level meeting. The saner elements in the community say the situation should be handled in a way it does not go out of control again.