Sakshi Maharaj draws flak for defending Ram Rahim Singh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sakshi Maharaj has been criticised for supporting 'Dera Sacha Sauda' chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Friday came out in support of Gurmeet Ram Rahim after he was convicted in a rape case by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula.

"Crores of people follow him (Gurmeet Ram Rahim). Why are we not listening to them? Why are we listening to one person (the victim). Gurmeet Ram Rahim is a noble soul. This is a conspiracy to defame Indian culture and the holy people. If there is further violence, the courts will be responsible," Maharaj had said.

Spiritual leaders have strongly condemned his remarks and said that a person, whose followers are indulging in violence, shouldn't be referred as 'Guru'.

President of Akhara Parishad Narendra Giri said, "The followers of the Babas are calm and generous and are not violent. This proves that all his followers are goons and hooligans."

While he applauded the court's decision to seize all his property and to pay for all the losses occurred because of the destruction cause by his followers.

Swami Ram Dinesh Acharya said that everyone in the country should abide by the decision of the judiciary.

"If the court has handed out proof against him, then the people should adhere to it," Acharya told ANI.

At least 29 people were killed, including two women and a child, and more than 250 injured as violence erupted in Haryana and Punjab after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in the rape case.

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on August 28.

After being convicted, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was taken to Rohtak by helicopter.

He condemned the act by the people and said that the national property belongs to each and every one of them and that they shouldn't vandalize it.

Speaking on Sakshi Maharaj's comments, he said, "Sakshi is a well read man and he must have thought before saying what he did but if no evidence is found in Rahim's favor, then we can't agree to what he said."

-ANI