We The People: Godmen Or Fraudmen?
The conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case unleashed a spate of violence across Punjab and Haryana. Many people have been killed due to the violence, arson and rioting by over one lakh people believed to supporters of the self-styled godman. Mobile internet services are barred in both Haryana and Punjab in anticipation of a more violent backlash to Ram Rahim's impending sentencing on Monday. While the Haryana High Court has pulled up the Khattar government for its failure to contain the lawlessness, the violence has made people across the nation question the godmen in India. On this episode of We The People, we ask: Why were the Dera supporters allowed to assemble in Panchkula - where the verdict was announced - in such large numbers? What explains the masses rallying behind a man convicted of having raped two of his own followers?
