Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, was released from Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, early Tuesday after being granted a 21-day furlough. This marks his 17th temporary release since October 2020 and the third one this year. Singh, 59, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two female disciples.
Devinderpal Singh Bhullar could have been released by now, but the then-Delhi government did not sign the file,” the jathedar said. “Why is Ram Rahim being granted repeated paroles while Sikh prisoners are facing a different yardstick? By this standard, parole should be granted to Sikh prisoners too. Jagtar Singh Hawara should be granted parole to meet his elderly mother, while the issue of Balwant Singh Rajoana is also stuck. “Governments had repeatedly extended furlough and parole to the Dera head, while Sikh prisoners have remained incarcerated for decades and been denied even parole. The government has been under pressure from Sikh organisations and families of prisoners seeking parole and release on humanitarian grounds. The argument likely to return to the political narrative is simple: if a convicted Dera chief can repeatedly receive temporary release, why are Sikh prisoners who have completed long periods of jail terms still facing obstacles in securing parole, remission or release? The party can question whether political considerations are influencing decisions involving high-profile prisoners.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the move reflected a “double and discriminatory” approach. Governments must understand that such double standards further deepen the sense of alienation among the Sikh community,” Dhami said. Former jathedar and SAD (Punar Surjit) head Giani Harpreet Singh termed it an act that “rubs salt into the wounds” of the Sikh community. “Despite leaders of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha offering to take responsibility for Hawara’s parole, he has not been released, while a convict in a rape case is repeatedly being released,” Giani Harpreet said in a statement. Cabinet minister Krishan Lal Panwar said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the high court. “Decisions regarding parole are taken in accordance with court directions and the prescribed rules and procedures,” said Panwar.
Earlier reporting noted: For the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, the immediate challenge is the Sikh prisoner issue. Earlier reporting noted: For the Congress, the issue provides another opportunity to attack both the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led government in Haryana. Earlier reporting noted: The biggest beneficiary of the controversy may ultimately be the broader political debate around Punjab’s religious and social vote blocs.
