Gurmeet Ram Rahim verdict: Haryana minister Anil Vij wants compensation for Dera followers killed in police action
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 50, was sentenced to two decades in prison by a CBI court for raping two women disciples in 2002. Violent protests broke out in response to the self-styled godman's conviction August 25.
In Short
- Haryana Police has released 10 photographs that record the post-verdict violence
- It has also released a list of as many as 43 wanted individuals
- Honeypreet Insan, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's adopted daughter, tops the most-wanted list
Haryana minister Anij Vij has asked for compensation for followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who were killed in police action on August 25, when violent protests broke out in response to the self-styled godman's conviction in a rape case.
Vij points to the fact that compensation was awarded to victims after last year's Jat agitation. His argument: So why not for the Dera victims?
The Haryana Police has released a list of as many as 43 wanted individuals, and ten photographs that show protestors damaging vehicles - including media OB vans - and throwing stones. 41 people were killed, and scores more were injured in Haryana.
Honeypreet Insan, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's adopted daughter, tops the most-wanted list.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 50, was sentenced to two decades in prison by a CBI court for raping two women disciples in 2002. He is an inmate in Rohtak's Sunaria Jail.
A CONTROVERSIAL MINISTER
Anil Vij is no stranger to controversy. He has said Hindus can't be terrorists, that Mahatama Gandhi's image would be removed from currency bills, and that people who can't live without eating beef shouldn't visit Haryana. As a Hindustan Times report says, Vij is known as the BJP's "enfant terrible."
Last August, almost exactly a year before Ram Rahim's conviction, Anil Vij travelled to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa to attend a sporting event. As the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh looked on, Vij announced he would donate Rs 50 crore from his discretionary fund to the Dera. It's worth noting that the Dera Sacha Sauda had backed the BJP in the run to the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls.
WATCH: Haryana Min Anil Vij attends Dera Sacha Sauda's sports event, announces ?50 lakh from his discretionary fund.https://t.co/avUOfBMbmt- ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2016
Initial reactions to Anil Vij's most recent observation about the Dera Sacha Sauda weren't flattering.
Anil Vij is an absolute disgrace https://t.co/Ij9tyx5yNY- Arthshastri (@Arthshastri) September 21, 2017
BJP minister Anil Vij is demanding compensation for those killed in Dera riots. Now waiting for him to demand release of Ram Rahim asap.- Manish K Tyagi (@KnottyCommander) September 21, 2017
A minister in @mlkhattar govt @anilvijminister demanded compensation 4 Dera Followers. Seems he is still with them. Height of shamelessness- ashok upadhyay (@ashoupadhyay) September 21, 2017
VIDEO: India Today takes you inside the headquarters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's Dera Sacha Sauda.