Premis” ( mainly farmers) registered their houses , shops in the name of dera on a call given to do so.
Jupinderjit Singh
As the nation sees the frenzy of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who faces a verdict in a rape case against him in Panchkula Special CBI court today, there is a history of such seeminlgy mad following of a dera head. While in 2007, three followers committed suicde when the Dera head was summoned to the court, in 2012, many of them willing gifted their small houses and shops as a gift to the dera on a call given to do so.
On October 26, 2012, about 68 followers of Dera Sacha Sauda ‘gifted’ their land, both rural and urban to a ‘Force Wing’ of the sect that has remained mired in several controversies. Next day, 45
more properties ranging from few Kanals to several acres were made in the name of a Shah Satnam Ji Green ‘S’ Welfare Force Wing of the Dera. The total number of such sale deeds were 113.
The gift came in the time of shrinking landholdings and debt on farmers.
As many as 41 sale deeds were executed at the Tehsil office Bathinda in favour of Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing of the Dera Sacha Sauda , Sirsa. Another 21 sale deeds were executed in Talwandi Sabo on that day. The Tribune had reported the development exclusively..
The process went late into the evening. Employees at the Tehsil were seen compiling the list of the sale deeded in the presence of some legal experts representing the Dera. One followere even gifted 13
acres of land.
Tehsil Sources the sale deeds were executed legally with all the requisite revenue paid
to the government.
Most of the Urban sale deeds were of Paras Ram Nagar and Lal Singh Basti in the city. The “premis” as the followers are called executed the sale deed of small to medium size plots.
Among the rural areas, most of the sale deeds were of Baluana and Rai Singh Wala villages. Tehsil sources said the “premis” said the sect Guru would give them many more land in return. The Shah Satnam Ji Green ‘S’ Welfare Force Wing is a special volunteer group constituted by the sect guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for providing disaster relief.
The “premis”(followers) who gifted land today were mainly from GehriBhagga , Chugga Kalan and Bhaagu villages in the district. Talking toThe Tribune, some of the “Premis” got quite agitated at the queries.They said they were free to give or take land. The “Premis” maintained they were not worried about the impact on financial condition of afamily if they give part or major portion of their land.
“The Dera has given us so much. Its spiritual powers ad benevolence starts from where your science and education ends. We can give everything to the Dera as what ever we have is given by it,” said
Choor Singh of Bhaagu village.
He has “gifted” one acre out of his seven acres of land. When asked if the donation would affect the annual earnings of the family he said the Dera Head would give them anything they desire, “My son is in Indian Army and my daughter is with the Punjab Police. What ever we made was because of the Dera. I can give all my land. We just want the Media to write the Truth and whatever I said.”
Mohinder Singh , another “Premi” said he has six acres out of which he has given one acre ,” It must be for someone’s good. We donate blood, ration and whever we are in trouble and need something the Dera helps. I don’t know for what purpose the land was required. I only
know I am giving it in safe hands and it will serve someone.”
A perusal of some of the sale deeds revealed that the gifted property was mainly ancestral. Some of the property was bought several years
ago.
EOM
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