Dera supporters go berserk: Will ML Khattar be the fall guy for BJP?

The Dera Sacha Sauda played a crucial role in helping the BJP come to power for the first time. Now it is the same Dera’s supporters that have become a threat for the Manohar Lal Khattar government in the state.

The Dera supporters, or Premis as they are called, resorted to large scale violence in Haryana after a CBI court in Panchkula convicted Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of rape.

The violence has killed at least 30 people and has exposed the abject failure of the Khattar government. And with many of its leaders known to be supporters of Ram Rahim, the BJP in Haryana stands accused of politically colluding with the Dera. It must be remembered that Haryana ministers Anil Vij, Ram Bilas Sharma and Manish Grover have all made donations to the Dera. Several senior BJP functionaries, like national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, are said to have visited the Dera.

This has significant implications in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the Assembly polls in Haryana later that year.

As it is the Khattar government has mishandled two violent agitations – the first in 2014, when six people died following the arrest of Hisar godman Rampal and then the 2016 Jat agitation in which 30 people were killed.

Now, the BJP government’s “soft” response to the violence by Dera supporters are attracted severe criticism from the Opposition as well as the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Besides directing the state government “to use force if required, to tackle the situation” the HC warned the government against any political interference.

But it appears unlikely that Khattar would adopt a tough stand.

According to insiders, the Dera has an important role in the BJP’s plan for the 2019 polls. It has a huge voter base with a general tendency of voting en bloc. Also, a fair section of Dera followers comprise Dalits and youth.

The BJP is also wary of the Jats intensifying their stir seeking reservation in government jobs.

The party has been looking to woo Jats for the 2019 elections and recently BJP chief Amit Shah held talks with Yashpal Malik, chief of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, which is spearheading the agitation.

Therefore, there are rumours that Khattar could be replaced as CM, probably by a Jat leader like Captain Abhimanyu.

The BJP is caught in a sticky spot. Having attacked the TMC government in West Bengal and Left government in Kerala over political violence, the BJP now finds itself in a far worse situation.

“No one can take responsibility of such situations,” said BJP leader Anil Jain, reflecting the party’s helplessness.

“The government has made all the requisite arrangements and is ready to tackle any law and order problems. But then their (Premis’) numbers are also large, they are present across the state,” said Jain.

Both the CPI(M) and TMC were quick to attack the BJP

“All BJP assembly candidates visited the cult leader, BJP government gave this cult Rs 50 lakh, CM had photos clicked. And we expect fair handling?...A so-called religious cult is holding the state of Haryana at ransom, solely because the BJP government is in cahoots with it,” CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Twitter.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien‏ posted pictures of prominent BJP leaders including Vijayvargiya and Khattar with Rahim and enquired if they were genuine.

Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi urged the Khattar government to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. In a statement released to the press, Gandhi expressed “grave concern and shock at the unabated violence in Panchkula and other parts of Haryana resulting in the death of over two dozen persons including children, wide spread destruction of public property and senseless attack on the media”.

She also spoke to Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh regarding the violence.