Not just blessings: Politicians in Haryana flock to deras with votes on their mind

Chandigarh: Come elections, it’s time for deras to be in demand. With lakhs of loyal followers at their command, the denominations carry the weight to tilt the outcome in several seats. No wonder all parties in Haryana from the ruling Congress, to the BJP, the INLD and the HJC are making a beeline to the deras at this point. The support of the latter to any particular political party can turn the tide in its favour in at least 18 seats in the state. [caption id=“attachment_1737309” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Dera Sachha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. IBNLive[/caption] More than a dozen senior leaders from all important parties have visited the Dera Sachha Sauda to seek blessings of its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Among them are senior BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Congress’s national spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala, former Haryana Speaker and Congress leader Kuldip Sharma, media co-ordinator of the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC), Devi Lal Bishnoi, Duraram Bishnoi and Gautam Sardana. Leaders of other smaller parties too have sought blessings of the Dera chief. Though outwardly the deras remain apolitical, it is believed that they give certain clear directions to their voters to either vote en masse for a particular party or some individual candidate. The hint to their supporters can either come much in advance or at the last moment, but the followers are known to strictly follow their Guru’s guidelines. Although there are a large number of smaller deras in Haryana, Sirsa-based Dera Sachha Sauda is considered the most influential. It commands a following of 50 lakh and almost half as many voters among them. Other important deras include Dera Baba Bhaniarshah Sangarsadha,  Dera Sachha Sauda Jagmalwali, Namdhari Sampradaya Shri Jivangar and Mastangarh, Sirsa district etc. Headed by Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who because of his political clout has got ‘Z’ Plus security,  Dera Sacha Sauda has immense influence on the voters of not just Haryana, but that of Punjab and Rajasthan as well. In 2007, Dera Sacha Sauda had extended support to the Congress party, as a result of which it won several seats in South Punjab. But since then all deras have changed their strategy. They no more decide whom to support; it’s left to their political wings. After compiling the opinion of their followers, deras these days pass directions to their followers on voting through their political wings at a very short notice. Before extending support, the_dera_s takes an assurance from the party or leaders they would help them in the struggle against drugs and promote brotherhood among people. From time to time political parties have also given tickets to some Dera Premi(follower) to contest assembly election in Haryana. The INLD had given ticket to Dera Premi Krishna Kamboj a few years ago from Rania assembly constituency and he had won. Another Dera Premi Sukhdev had contested the poll as an Independent, but he lost. Speaking to Firstpost, a dera premi of Sacha Sauda said: “We have asked our members at the block level to give their opinion by October 10 after which we will decide who to extend our support." Incidentally the Dera Sachha Sauda has a six-member political wing which decides the issue of support to any particular party through its ‘Saadh Sangat’ (congregation). It follows a democratic process in which its block and district level representatives ask the followers during congregations to submit chits with names of their favourite candidates or party. “The followers take their own decision and no directive was enforced from the top. The six-member team of Dera Sachha Sauda’s political wing is headed by Rakesh Insan. Other members include Purshottam Insan, Rampal, Chandi  Ram, Sadharam and Chintu Ram. To meet the dera chief, it is necessary for the politicians and their followers to first seek permission from the political wing. Interestingly, while in Haryana the deras are allowed by lakhs of people and no religion or sect objects to them, in Punjab there is resistance as Sikhism does not approve of these denominations.. Worshipping a guru in physical form is not permitted in Sikh religion. The 10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh had declared the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Sikh scripture as the only living Guru. But the Deras and sects have existed and flourished in the Punjab over the years. Dera Sachha Sauda is highly influential because of its humanitarian service over the years.  The service includes physical and monetary help during natural disasters. It has a world record, (Guiness Book of World Records) in blood donation and tree plantation. No wonder ‘destination dera’ is the key word for the politicians these days.