Dera followers assemble to show solidarity with their chief

Thousands of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda gathered here today to show their support to the sect chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who faces arrest for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Sirsa/Rohtak (Haryana), June 22 : Thousands of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda gathered here today to show their support to the sect chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who faces arrest for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.

The followers participated in a discourse and prayer ceremony, and sang devotional songs at the sect headquarters in Sirsa.

Meanwhile in Rohtak, a group of Dera followers presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, demanding protection for their fellow members in the state.

"We are giving a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner so that he can protect our brothers in Punjab, who are being stopped from practicing their faith, said Azad Singh, a follower.

They said that the controversy is being given a political colour.

"Guru Gobind Singh is bigger than the Akal Takht and the Dera has already apologised to him. Nobody has tried to hurt anyone's sentiments. Anyone can put a costume. Someone was wearing the costume worn by Tipu Sultan; no trouble was caused because of that. This whole issue is being given a political colour just to put a stop to the Dera's activities," said Ashok Nath, another follower.Clashes between Sikhs and the sect erupted after an advertisement showing sect leader Raheem dressed up in clothes similar to that worn by Guru Gobind Singh.

The Sikhs took offence and termed it as 'blasphemous'. Skirmishes between rival groups flared into mob violence when the Akal Takht-the top body of Sikh clergies-urged the community to boycott the sect.

The sect leader denied any wrongdoing and tendered an apology, saying he had absolutely no intention to imitate or replicate the Sikh guru. The Sikh clergy however, rejected the apology.

ANI