Lucknow, Aug 26: Hardline Hindutva leader and BJP Lok Sabha member Sakshi Maharaj has openly defended Dera Sachha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula in Haryana in a case of rape. Gurmeet is accused of raping sadhvis inside his 'gufa' (a customised underground chamber that was his personal residence).
Sakshi Maharaj, who was known for his provocative remarks, termed Ram Rahim a ''noble'' and a ''simple'' person, who commanded influence over millions of people.
''Crores of people consider Ram Rahim as their god while one person has complained of sexual exploitation...the feelings of crores of people should be listened to,'' he said while speaking to reporters at Unnao, his Lok Sabha constituency.
He said that the allegations against the Dera chief could also be ''driven by greed'' and ''prejudice''.''It is also possible that the allegations against Ram Rahim were actually aimed at showing the Indian culture in a bad light,'' Sakshi Maharaj said.
The BJP MP referred to the cases of Colonel Purohit, who was an accused in the Malegaon blast case and was recently granted bail by the supreme court, and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, also an accused in the same case, to buttress his contention.
"There seems to be a planned conspiracy to defame the seers and our culture,'' he alleged.
He said that the violence in Haryana and Punjab after Ram Rahim's conviction showed the kind of influence he wielded on the people. Earlier also Sakshi Maharaj put his party in a difficult situation by his remarks.
Comments
Court gives verdict on basis of witness nd evidence not on basis of how many supporters or followers some one has. It's difficult to understand sometimes people need punishment against rapist nd sometimes support de rapist.
This is BJP's MP. This main is alleging the judges and judgement. It is contempts of the court.
He should be punished under such acts.
BJP has all such MPs.
This is the crime of the public who elected him to rule the country for public services.
People should learn to about the person they elect to rule them.
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