Chandigarh: The BJP-led Haryana government faces criticism from opposition parties and Sikh groups in the state for granting frequent paroles to rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The Dera Sacha Sauda chief has walked out of the jail on January 21 on a 40-day parole to enjoy a fresh spell of freedom, this is his first this year.
On January 25, he will go to Sirsa to take part in the anniversary ceremony of a former head of Dera.
The controversial guru has been granted over 133 days of parole and furlough leave till 2023, India Today reported.
The tainted guru continues to lead online satsangs, released videos with his fan following still fawning over him.
Reports say that during one of his parole spells he “blessed” politicians in some election-bound states.
In early 2019-20 six applications by Gurmeet Ram Rahim for parole were rejected.
However, he was given a day’s time out of jail on October 24 in 2020 to visit his ailing mother in a hospital in Gurgaon.
Subsequently in 2021, Ram Rahim was seen walking out again on May 21 to meet his mother.
In 2022 Gurmeet Ram Rahim spent a total of 91 days out of jail, with 21 days in February during Punjab Assembly elections.
Again he was outside for 30 days in June when Haryana municipality elections were underway.
His 40 days spell outside jail in October fell on the Assembly bypoll in Adampur, Haryana and Himachal Assembly elections, according to the report.
The Sikh organisations question the frequent paroles granted to the guru, while they were seeking the release of former Khalistani terrorists, who have completed their sentences.
SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami has accused the Union government of having a dual policy towards minorities, which allegedly causing mistrust among Sikhs.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal questioned the alleged silence of the Union government over the continuing demand to release the jailed Sikhs.
Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar denied the allegations, claiming everything was done as per the law.