31 July, Punjab: Pardeep Kaler, the primary accused in the well-known Bargari sacrilege case, has been accusing Sukhbir Singh Badal of going to Dera Sirsa leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim in order to win over Dera supporters’ votes, even though the sect has been banned from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. According to Kaler, Badal met with Gurmeet Ram Rahim prior to the Punjab Assembly elections in 2012 and 2017. According to them, Badal also promised Ram Rahim that he would get Akal Takht to pardon him and lift the prohibition on the release of his films in Punjab.
SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL
The head of Dera was also provided with security by the Punjab Police. According to Kaler, one of the cars provided to the head of Dera was registered in Harsh Dhuri’s name. In the sacrilege case, Harsh Dhuri is also charged and remains in hiding.
Before the 2009 Parliament elections, a settlement was made by the leaders of the Akali Dal and Dera. Under this settlement, the 2007 lawsuit filed against the Dera head for allegedly offending Sikh sentiments was also subsequently dropped. Dera and the Akali government have excellent relations. Somewhere in 2016, tubewell connections were also granted to Dera supporters, according to Kaler.
