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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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3 dead, several trapped after six-storey building collapses in Delhi, rescue operations continue

Three people died and two were critically injured after a six-storey PG building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan. Several others are feared trapped.

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1 hour ago

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September 6, 2026

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Three people have died and two others are critically injured after a six-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Sunday afternoon. Several more people are feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue at the site.

Nine people have been rescued so far, while authorities are searching for others who may still be trapped. The building, which was being used as a 75-bed paying guest accommodation, collapsed at around 1:30 pm, according to officials.

Building was being used as a PG accommodation

According to police, the building was around 40 to 50 years old and consisted of a basement and five upper floors. It was being used as a paying guest accommodation, with repair work reportedly underway in the basement when the collapse occurred.

The building was located in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University’s South Campus, an area with a large student population.

An eyewitness said at least 50 students were believed to have been inside the building when it collapsed. A student at the scene also reported hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble.

Rescue operation underway

Teams from the Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Disaster Management Authority have been deployed for the rescue operation.

At least 12 fire tenders have been sent to the spot. An excavator has also been deployed, while additional machinery is being brought in to remove concrete slabs and girders from the debris.

Locals were also seen helping with the initial search before rescue teams and machinery reached the site.

The adjacent building has been vacated as a precautionary measure, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said. She added that rescue work was being carried out on a war footing and that authorities were coordinating efforts to assist those affected.

Government agencies coordinate rescue efforts

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said concerned agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service and DDMA, had been directed to work together to ensure swift rescue operations.

Local BJP MLA Anil Sharma, who was at the site, said some students were still believed to be trapped and that some were reportedly making calls from inside the collapsed structure.

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj blamed alleged corruption for the incident and raised questions about building safety and inspections. His comments were political allegations and no official cause for the collapse has been established in the report.

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PM Modi takes aim at critics with Dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC centenary address

PM Modi revived his dimagi Naxal remark at SRCC’s centenary celebrations and spoke about India’s development journey.

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10 hours ago

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September 6, 2026

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revived his ‘dimagi Naxal’ remark while addressing the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi on Saturday, using the term to criticise his opponents.

Speaking to students at the Delhi college, PM Modi described the phrase as a “homeopathic pill” and said it had prompted those he described as “dimagi Naxals” to come forward and reveal their views.

The prime minister also used his address to speak to Gen-Z about India’s development journey and asked students to consider the challenges the country had faced in the past.

PM Modi recalls past crises

During his speech, PM Modi referred to the 2013 Kedarnath disaster and the 2008 global financial crisis while criticising the handling of national emergencies by previous governments.

He said the government at the time of the Kedarnath disaster was shaken and questioned its ability to respond to the crisis.

Referring to the 2008 banking crisis, PM Modi alleged that the government of the time failed to effectively deal with the situation and claimed that India’s banking system was pushed close to collapse.

Prime minister lists challenges faced by his government

PM Modi also highlighted several major global crises that occurred during his government’s tenure.

He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, disruptions to global trade and supply chains, and the crisis in West Asia.

The prime minister said there had been concerns that India would struggle during these crises but argued that the country had continued to move forward.

PM Modi’s earlier SRCC visit

PM Modi had earlier visited SRCC in 2013, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. His speech at the college received significant attention, particularly on social media, ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

His latest visit came during the college’s centenary celebrations, where his address focused on young people, India’s development ambitions and the challenges faced by the country.

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India Metro Rail Network May Overtake US in 2 Years

India’s metro rail network has reached 1,170 km across 26 cities. Union minister Manohar Lal said the country could overtake the US in network length within two years.

Published

1 day ago

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September 5, 2026

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Manohar Lal Khattar

India is on track to become the country with the second-largest metro rail network in the world after China, with Union Minister Manohar Lal saying the country could overtake the United States within the next two years.

India’s metro rail network has now expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities. The network is only 216 km shorter than the US metro rail network, which stands at 1,386 km, according to figures cited by the minister.

India’s metro network expands rapidly

Speaking after the inauguration of an extended metro service in Indore, Manohar Lal highlighted the pace at which metro connectivity has grown in India.

He said metro services were operational across just 245 km in five cities when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. The network has since expanded to 1,170 km across 26 cities.

The minister said India could overtake the US in terms of metro rail network length in the next two years and become the world’s second-largest country in this segment after China.

China currently has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines, according to the figures cited by the minister.

Indore metro extension inaugurated

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating an extended section of the Indore metro. The project was built at a cost of around Rs 2,850 crore.

The Indore metro was earlier operating commercially on a six-km stretch between Gandhi Nagar and Super Corridor-3 stations. Following the extension, the service will operate on a 17-km route between Gandhi Nagar and Malviya Nagar Chauraha.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the metro service would mark a new phase in Indore’s development. He also said the network would eventually be extended to Ujjain and other nearby areas.

India’s metro rail network: Key figures

  • India currently has 1,170 km of operational metro rail network.
  • Metro services are operational across 26 cities.
  • The US has around 1,386 km of metro rail network.
  • India is currently 216 km behind the US.
  • China has around 8,000 km of metro rail lines.
  • India’s operational network stood at 245 km across five cities in 2014.

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