Sikh groups to CM: Reopen blasphemy case against Dera chief

[danieldemol]

‘Jalandhar: A few Sikh groups have written to Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, urging him to reopen the blasphemy
case of 2007 registered against Sirsa Dera
chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Bathinda. They are pressing for a high-level probe to expose politicians and police officers who, according to them, helped the Dera chief by blocking the case.’

‘In the joint letter, they argued that the Dera chief and his followers dared to execute the sacrileges because they were emboldened after the Badal government brazenly helped the Dera chief get off the hook in a blasphemy case registered in May 2007. This was when he imitated Guru Gobind Singh.’

Read more here: Reopen blasphemy case against Dera chief: Sikh groups to CM - Times of India

 

[Shadow Wolf]

2020:
The year it became apparent that for all our progress, for all our gains, for all our art, compassion, and feats of wonder and awe, we are still a bunch of apes who act like crap flinging monkeys. Worse than I thought.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Dera Chief was an ogre. He is behind bars for 20 years for rapes and more cases coming up, including the emasculation of 400 male followers, and deaths in Dera. Who know if they were involved in organ trade. Dera needs to be investigated thoroughly. Something that the BJP government has not done because of his influence on votes.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Dera Chief was an ogre. He is behind bars for 20 years for rapes and more cases coming up, including the emasculation of 400 male followers, and deaths in Dera. Who know if they were involved in organ trade. Dera needs to be investigated thoroughly. Something that the BJP government has not done because of his influence on votes.

Then charge him for those things. Blasphemy laws have got to go.

 

[Aupmanyav]

There is no blasphemy law in India. But we do have laws against disrespect to religions and for disturbing public peace by any action. The Dera Chief can be tried under those laws. Whether an action falls under that category is to be decided by Courts, Supreme Court of India being the final authority.

The laws are very clear in India and are well-protected. A State Court disqualified a ruling Prime Minsiter, no less than the iron lady, Indira Gandhi, for illegal poll practices - use of state machinery for poll purposes. That led to the state of emergency in 1975. But the Court decision withstood the storm. India goes by law but I do agree that its implementation leaves much to be desired.

 

[icehorse]

But we do have laws against disrespect to religions

I'd say that those ARE blasphemy laws, don't ya think?

 

[Aupmanyav]

I'd say that those ARE blasphemy laws, don't ya think?

No. Surely, our laws are not the same as in US, UK or Europe. But that is what our Constitution makers accepted based on our multi-religious, multi-ethnic conditions and the state of education. These have been amended at times in a democratic manner (two-third majority in the Lower house and half the majority in the Upper house of the Parliament); and our Courts, Supreme Court being the final authority, have been entrusted with the job of safe-guarding them. India, as I said, is committed to its law and international agreements that it signs. It has never renegaded from them.

Public Interest has to be safeguard by article 19(1)(2) of the Indian Constitution which lays down reasonable limitations to the freedom of expression in matters affecting:

a. Sovereignty and integrity of the State,
b. Security of the State,
c. Friendly relations with foreign countries,
d. Public order,
e. Decency and morality,
f. Contempt of court,
g. Defamation and
h. Incitement to an offense.
Freedom of Press - Article 19(1)(a)