Gurmeet Ram Rahim Faces Major Setback as Punjab Government Reopens 2015 Sacrilege Cases

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Faces Major Setback as Punjab Government Reopens 2015 Sacrilege Cases

In a significant development, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the jailed chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, has found himself in deeper legal trouble. The Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has granted permission to reopen and pursue prosecution in three sacrilege cases that have been lingering since 2015. This move comes as a major blow to Ram Rahim, who has been serving a prison sentence for other crimes, as it adds to the already extensive list of legal challenges he faces.

The sacrilege incidents in question, which have remained a point of contention in Punjab’s political and religious landscape, took place in Faridkot district between June and October 2015. These involved the desecration of the revered Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. On June 2, 2015, an FIR was registered under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following reports of these sacrilegious acts. However, in accordance with IPC section 295A, prosecuting such cases requires government approval, which had been pending until now.

Ram Rahim’s troubles deepened when the Supreme Court, just four days prior, lifted the stay on these cases, paving the way for the Punjab government to proceed with the trials. This judicial green light comes after nearly two and a half years of legal wrangling, during which the Punjab Police had sought approval to move forward with the cases. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously put a stay on these prosecutions, effectively halting progress. Now, with the Supreme Court’s intervention, the cases have gained renewed momentum.

The origins of these cases date back to July 2015, when a series of highly sensitive events unfolded. Ram Rahim was allegedly involved in the theft of the sacred ‘bir’ (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village in Faridkot. A few days later, torn pages from the sacred text were found scattered in the streets, triggering outrage within the Sikh community. Then, in October 2015, further unrest was caused by another sacrilege incident in Bahibal Kalan, where more pages from the Guru Granth Sahib were found desecrated. These incidents led to widespread protests across Punjab, particularly in Bargari, where demonstrators clashed with police, culminating in the firing upon and killing of two protestors.

The desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib is a deeply emotional issue for Sikhs worldwide, as the scripture is not merely a book but is revered as the living embodiment of the Sikh Gurus. The incidents from 2015 continue to resonate in Punjab, fueling political and religious tensions even today.

The legal battle to hold those responsible for the sacrilege accountable has been long and fraught with delays. Despite the registration of FIRs in 2015, progress had stalled due to the absence of government sanction to prosecute under IPC section 295A. The Mann government’s decision to grant this approval is being viewed as a critical step in ensuring justice in cases that have profoundly impacted the Sikh community.

In fact, the 2015 incidents marked a turning point in Punjab’s political environment, as they led to widespread protests against the then-government and became a key issue in subsequent elections. The reopening of these cases could have significant political ramifications, especially given Ram Rahim’s influence over a considerable following, including sections of Punjab’s electorate.

The case files being reopened now relate to three key events. The first incident occurred in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village, where pages of the Guru Granth Sahib were reportedly found discarded on the ground. The second case involves the defacing of posters with offensive comments about the holy book and Sikh religious leaders outside a gurudwara managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Bargari, on September 24-25, 2015. The third and perhaps most egregious incident was the discovery of 112 torn pages of the sacred scripture near a gurudwara in Bargari on October 12, 2015, which sparked massive outrage and protests.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to remove the stay on prosecuting Ram Rahim allows the Punjab government to move ahead with these cases. This legal setback for the Dera chief could lead to further complications in his already embattled legal journey. Ram Rahim, who has been behind bars since 2017 for multiple criminal convictions, including for rape and murder, now faces the possibility of additional legal battles that could further prolong his time in prison.

For the Sikh community and the broader public in Punjab, the reopening of these cases is seen as a crucial step toward justice. The sacrilege incidents of 2015 left deep scars, and many have been waiting for accountability and closure. The Mann government’s proactive stance in this regard is expected to garner both support and opposition, as political and religious groups continue to weigh in on the sensitive issue.

Ram Rahim’s legal troubles appear far from over, and the next steps in these cases will likely attract intense public scrutiny. The reopening of these sacrilege cases represents more than just legal proceedings; it symbolizes an effort to address long-standing grievances that have shaped Punjab’s political and social landscape over the past decade.

#GurmeetRamRahim #PunjabSacrilege #GuruGranthSahib #Faridkot2015 #PunjabGovernment