Sunil Sangwan, the former jail superintendent of the jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is lodged, has won the Charkhi Dadri seat in Haryana as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. He defeated Congress' Manisha Sangwan by 1,957 votes in the October 5 assembly polls. Sangwan had recently taken voluntary retirement and joined the BJP, following in the footsteps of his father, ex-MLA and ex-minister Satpal Sangwan. During his tenure, Sangwan served as superintendent of many jails, including the one where the controversial Dera chief is currently lodged.
Amidst a closely contested election between the BJP and Congress in Haryana, the issue of parole being granted to convicted rapist and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has raised questions about the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Both the Congress and a victim's son have flagged this issue and urged the Chief Election Commissioner to intervene. This parole would be the 10th granted to Rahim in the past two years, sparking concern about his potential influence in the polls. The controversy highlights the need for unbiased news coverage in the midst of political agendas.
Kiku Sharda says there are moral lines that shouldn't be crossed in comedy, especially when it comes to religion. After being arrested for mimicking a religious leader in 2016, the actor-comedian opened up about his stance on religious jokes and his love for comedy in an interview. He also shared his favourite stand-up comedians, such as Vir Das and Zakir Khan, who have helped popularize comedy in different languages.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict, has been granted a 21-day furlough from the Sunaria jail in Haryana. During his temporary release period, he will reside at the Dera ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a petition against his release and instructed the competent authority to consider his plea without bias. Singh had filed for the furlough in June and the court had previously directed the Haryana government to not grant him any more paroles without permission. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and was also convicted for murder in 2019 (later acquitted by HC).
Mona Agarwal, who faced taunts and mockery from relatives due to her disability, refused to let it hold her back. She persevered and competed in para-shooting, winning a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics. Her story of determination and success serves as an inspiration for others.
A heart-warming deed by a 65-year-old landlord in India has caught the attention of the public. The kind landlord not only kept the rent steady for his tenant for five years, but also hosted a dinner for him. Amidst the news of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's repeated releases, this act of compassion serves as a refreshing reminder of the goodness in the world. Join The Indian Express' WhatsApp group to receive more news and updates.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has been summoned to appear before the Akal Takht within 15 days by the Sikh clergy. This comes in light of the apology granted to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the controversy surrounding the SGPC's expenditure of Rs.90 lakh on advertisements for the apology. Badal has expressed his devotion and humility towards the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a prominent political party in Punjab, appeared before the Akal Takht and apologized for the mistakes committed during their party's tenure in power. They sought forgiveness for four specific mistakes, including their failure to punish those responsible for sacrilege incidents and pardoning a controversial religious leader. The rebel leaders also held the current party chief responsible for these mistakes and acknowledged that their actions caused the Sikh community and people of Punjab to drift away from the Akali Dal. In response to the party chief's recent apology, the rebel leaders stated that it did not align with Sikh traditions and rituals. This revolt has led to calls for the current party chief's resignation and the launch of a new movement within the Akali Dal.
After the end of the election campaign in Haryana, Dera Sacha Sauda, a controversial religious sect, announced its support for the ruling party BJP. This comes amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state where Dera Sacha Sauda has a significant following. In 2017, the chief of the sect, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was convicted for rape and sentenced to 20 years in jail. Despite this, he has been granted multiple paroles, raising concerns over the special treatment given to him. As per the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order, further paroles have been prohibited without the court's permission.
The controversial self-styled godman has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a 21-day furlough to carry out various welfare activities outside the jail. He has cited the need to perform religious duties and carry out social services, such as tree plantation, drug de-addiction, and arranging marriages of poor girls. The court has previously directed the state to seek permission before considering Ram Rahim's parole or furlough requests, following objections from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).