Scheduled Castes body asks Punjab Police to take action against Ram Rahim for hurting religious sentiments
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Saturday asked Punjab government officials, including the state police to submit an action taken report on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for hurting religious sentiments. NCSC said Ram Rahim made derogatory remarks against Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir in a video which has now gone viral.
Earlier, the Jalandhar rural police filed a case against Ram Rahim Singh under section 295A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case was filed based on a complaint lodged by Jassi Talhan, president of Guru Ravidas Tiger Force, at Patara police station.
Jassi Talhan said a video of Ram Rahim where he is giving sermons to his followers was uploaded on YouTube. In the video, the Dera chief was heard quoting “concocted stories about both Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir”, said the complaint.
Talhan said Ram Rahim’s remarks hurt the sentiments of the Ravidasia community.
NCSC Chairman Vijay Sampla, issued a notice to the chief secretary of Punjab, the director general of police (Punjab), the divisional commissioner (Jalandhar division), the Deputy inspector general of police (Jalandhar Range), the deputy commissioner (Jalandhar), and the senior superintendent of police rural (Jalandhar) to investigate the matter and to submit an action taken report immediately, through post or email.
Sampla cautioned the officers that if the report is not received within the stipulated time, the Commission might exercise its powers conferred under article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue summons for personal appearance.
