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Rioting, arson, mayhem: Dera goons on rampage post Ram Rahim’s conviction

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9 years ago

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Over 30 killed, hundreds injured, riots spread as Dera goons unleash mayhem post Godman Ram Rahim’s conviction in rape case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Despite threats of widespread violence by followers of the Dera chief in the run up to his conviction, BJP’s Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana fails to contain aftermath of the Panchkula court verdict. Violence spreads to Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as government’s claims of preparedness in dealing with the verdict’s fallout are exposed

The writing on the wall had been clear for the past week.

Threats of violence and arson had been issued by followers of self-styled Godman, the controversial, ostentatious and politically connected Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh ‘Insaan’, should he be convicted in the 2002 rape case filed against him. Haryana’s Manohar Lal Khattar government had repeatedly claimed, even till Friday morning, that it was prepared to deal with any aftermath of the verdict. The Army had been called in to secure Panchkula – where the local court’s verdict was due – and the state police had been deployed in huge numbers. Section 144 (curfew) had been imposed in various parts of the state.

Yet, as soon as the Panchkula court pronounced its verdict – holding the Dera chief guilty of the charge of rape – Haryana burned, the fire spread quickly to neighbouring states of Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In clashes with the police and security personnel, over 30 civilians – including Dera arsonists and innocent people caught in the mayhem – were murdered by 8 pm on Friday, a majority of them in Panchkula. Over 200 people have been injured. The casualty figures are still rising with every passing hour.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered that the properties of the Dera Sachha Sauda will be attached and the outfit will have to compensate for the loss to property caused in the riots.

Late in the evening, by when Section 144 had been imposed across different riot-hit parts of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, and public outrage over the killings and arson had given rise to vociferous demands by common citizens and Opposition parties alike for the Haryana chief minister’s resignation, Khattar emerged to appeal for calm. Why, despite all signs of trouble, the chief minister had failed to press in adequate measures to control the rioting was something that Khattar was predictably silent on.

Adding insult to injury was Union home minister Rajnath Singh who instead of batting for a full scale inquiry into lapses by the Haryana government, the state’s police and other law enforcement agencies claimed that the Khattar administration “cannot be held responsible for the violence”. Similar and worse claims were made by ministers and officials in the Khattar administration ranging from “what can be done about this”, “we can’t be blamed”, “this is unfair scrutiny”, etc.

Almost as if the Union and Haryana government’s ministers and officials were following a pre-written script, Union home secretary Rajiv Meharshi described the tense situation as “serious but not yet out of control”. By the time Meharshi made this comment, 14 deaths had already been reported, the violence had already spread to the neighbouring states, coaches of at least two trains (one in the national capital’s Anand Vihar Railway station), several buses and public transport vehicles, buildings and government property had been gutted by arsonists. But according to the Union home ministry which is the supposedly the guardian of the country’s internal security, the situation was “still not out of control”. Did the home secretary Meharshi not know the extent of the violence or was he deliberately underplaying it?

Over 30 killed, hundreds injured, riots spread as Dera goons unleash mayhem post Godman Ram Rahim’s conviction in rape case

The Haryana government, which has had a very public rapport with the now convicted Dera chief – who during the Haryana assembly polls in 2014 had appealed for votes for the BJP – had made an open display of its willingness to play along with the gameplan of Ram Rahim and his supporters. What else would explain allowing the Dera chief – who also enjoys a Z+ category security cover given by the government – to drive from Sirsa to Panchkula in a convoy of over 100 vehicles, filled with his rabid followers, despite imposition of curfew in various places that fell en route?

There were also reports from media persons deployed in the conflict areas that although several companies of the Army had been deployed in and around Panchkula and Sirsa, the Army personnel had been instructed to not use force – not even the famed pellet guns – against the violent protestors. Tear gas was the weapon of choice to disperse those who were armed with swords, crude petrol bombs and other weapons.

As the riots spread, till well past 8 pm on Friday night, the Centre and Haryana government were clearly still trying to get a grasp of the worsening law and order situation. There had been no appeal for peace and calm from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers, nor had the violence stopped.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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LPU students protest over reported rape allegation, police call it rumour

Students at Lovely Professional University protested over a reported rape allegation involving a worker, with police describing the claim as a rumour.

Published

17 hours ago

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September 27, 2026

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Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab staged a protest after an allegation involving the reported rape of a student by a worker at the university surfaced.

The protest led to disruption around the university, with students taking to the streets and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, according to the report.

The allegation triggered anger among students, who demanded action over the reported incident.

Police describe rape claim as rumour

Police, however, described the rape claim as a rumour, indicating that the allegation had not been established as a confirmed incident.

The distinction is important because the reported sexual assault allegation should not be treated as a confirmed rape unless investigators or other authoritative sources establish that fact.

The protests nevertheless continued as students sought clarity and action over the issue.

Protest disrupts traffic

The student demonstration also affected traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. The protest brought attention to the allegations and the concerns being raised by students at the university.

With police calling the claim a rumour, further verification and investigation would be necessary to establish what actually happened.

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INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. 

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process. 

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt. 

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously. 

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting. 

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

  • Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
  • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
  • Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
  • A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
  • A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

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“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight 

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Sahil Wakode

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.

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