The special CBI court in Panchkula, Haryana, has convicted the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with the charge of rape of two sadhvis, in the case registered in 2002. This verdict has sparked off widespread violence and rioting across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, leading to the unfortunate death of over 30 people and injuring hundreds. Both the Centre and the Haryana government have failed miserably in anticipating the violence and in maintaining law and order. The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) appeals to all for the immediate restoration of peace.
AIDWA congratulates the two women who bravely withstood against all pressure, threats and intimidation to dissuade them from continuing with their struggle for justice in their charge of rape against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief. AIDWA has been consistently supporting the victims in their 15-year long harrowing ordeal. AIDWA demands that the government must provide full protection to these brave women.
It is condemnable that various political parties for electoral gains have protected the Dera chief and have deliberately delayed the women's quest for justice. It is a matter of record that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had showered praise on the Dera chief to get the votes of his supporters. Precisely, this type of political patronage has encouraged various so-called godmen to brazenly violate the law of the land with impunity.
Malini Bhattacharya Mariam Dhawale
President General Secretary
