Dr. Amrik Singh Sacramento
The history repeats itself but with different consequences. Indira Gandhi pleased with the then Home Minister Zail Singh’s instrumentality in the aftermath of Nirankari episode elevated him to the President of India. Impressed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s machinations in Dera’s controversy, Sonia Gandhi has decided to promote him as the next President of the country. Zail Singh was criticized for lackluster performance in the same way Shivraj Patil is being targeted both by the opposition and UPA partners. CPI (M) blames Patil seriously lacking in “impeccable secular credentials” and accused him not being a ‘neutral person’ fit for the highest office. Why Sonia Gandhi does insist on Patil’s candidature? Why was Shivraj Patil so upset about Doordarshan’s (Government of India’s official TV network) coverage of Congress leaders’ links with Gurmeet Ram Rahim? Why did Patil fire Doordarshan Director (News) Swagat Ghosh? The answers to these questions indicate that there is more to Dera controversy than meets the eye.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s immediate problem is to wriggle out of murder charges. He won’t care if his followers accused in the murder are hanged to death so long as he is acquitted. A delegation of Punjab congress MLA’s met Sonia Gandhi after Punjab assembly election. Their one point appeal was to help Gurmeet Ram Rahim in CBI’s cases. Shivraj Patil’s direct intervention resulted in removing DSP Amandeep Singh who according to Ashul, Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati’s son, had written to CBI Director to arrest Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Tehlka investigation points out that CBI is “hushing up politically inconvenient cases.” Similar apprehensions were expressed by Punjab and Haryana High court judges who said the CBI officers seemed to be acting on extraneous considerations.
The soul of Ram Chander Chhatrapati must have turned in his grave at the reward of z plus cover to the architect of his doom. The most provocative action of masquerading as tenth Sikh Guru proved a blessing in disguise. Tidal waves of Sikhs’ annoyance only elevated his confidence level as he has proved his worth in a big way by entering into an underground Sauda of his safety. He needed Z Plus more for upholding aura of the Guru than for his protection. His secret commandoes are highly trained to neutralize any impending threat to Baba’s life. What was beyond the control of his invisible militia was his dwindling halo around his head. Z plus has restored his awesome radiance that is the hallmark of any Guru. He must have been enjoying the excitement of astute trickster who instead of getting scared of the heightened threat succeeded in surfing it. Z plus has included his name in the club of select few, the membership of which is a rare opportunity to enjoy high profile status. Prime minister, cabinet ministers, Chief Ministers, Chief Justice of Supreme Court and High Court are some of the VVIP’s enjoying Z plus security cover. The refusal of Supreme Court to entertain security threat has been answered in a befitting manner by Haryana Government. As a part of bonanza, Dera Mukhi will get two custom made bullet proof cars, 36 commandoes with highly sophisticated weapons, and an electronic pulse jammer vehicle to immobilize any remote device in the area. This will add to the grandeur of a guru who claims to command paranormal powers at his command. His disciples cannot remain unmoved at the splendor of their Guru’s power not less than Chief Ministers, Chief Justices and Prime Minister of India.
The allegation against local editor of ‘Poora Sach’ Ram Chander Chhatrapati was that he publicized Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s sexual orgies with some of sadhvis, therefore, he was taught a lesson. Swagat Ghosh Director General (News) was seen by Home Ministry committing the same mistake Chhatrapati did by exposing illicit relations of Baba with the Congress party. The only difference between the fate of Chhatrapati and Swagat Ghosh is that one lost his life whereas another job (plum posting). Congress still claims innocence in the whole matter by advertising secularism and non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi. Chopping Swagat Ghosh expresses the same desperation that was alleged to have been manifested in eliminating Chattarpati Siva and Ranjit Singh. What the Dera chief failed to getting through the court of law has been provided by Haryana Government with a vengeance.
Providing Z plus security may have been one of the strategies to send the prosecuting CBI the message of Baba’s special status among top ranking leaders of India. Such inadvertent messages can immobilize the law of the land to take its own course. When former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi likened his mother Indira Gandhi to a tree big enough to cause earth to shake, the law of the land went into hibernation for more than 20 years. Gruesome murders of turbaned citizens of India were interpreted necessary to stem the tide of separatism. The same applied to Gujrat when Chief Minister Nirendra Modi sent signals to show the wrath of angry Hindu gods to remind Muslims of their impotency in the land of Shiva. The law of the land and the longest constitution of the world short circuited to give leeway to cold-blooded murders and term these as semi-patriotic out of extreme sense of devotion for their beloved leaders, gods and goddesses.
The plus status of Baba is a pointer towards secretive promise of giving law of the land a break so that his followers can vandalize Sikhs’ home if required. Who else can teach a better lesson than the rowdy mob of ardent followers? After being provided Z plus, such a process became visible with attack on Rajinder Singh Sidhu, a complainant of criminal case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The mode and manner were the same as used in the murder of Ranjit Singh and the journalist Chhatrapati. Sidhu fired from his licensed gun that might have saved his life.
Was Z plus at people’s cost necessary? Significant resources at his command, Baba already had his private militia not only to guard him, but also to remote-control his rivals and dispatch them if necessary. Chhatrapati and Ranjit Singh paid for their courage to keep contrary lines. If the threat was so real, why Haryana government could not take him into protective custody? Z plus is mostly given to government functionary who cannot discharge their duty without moving from one place to the other. But in the case of Baba, he is not performing any public office that would require his mobility from place to place. The arrest of Baba would have saved millions of people’s tax money and would have helped CBI to file the charge sheet without fear of reprisal. The example has already been set in the case of Swagat Ghosh. How CBI can be free from mortal fears of the government and immortal ones of the Baba? Filing charges against five men without Dera’s Mukhi’s involvement maybe another strategy of CBI to bail him out of the hell of his own making.
From: Panthic Weekly