Since 2020, Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough as many as 14 times, totaling 259 days, with at least four instances coinciding with elections. Obviously, there is more to it than simply a case of parole
By Kamran Khan
Yet again, the BJP-led Haryana government, has granted a 20-day parole to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a ‘spiritual leader’ currently serving a life sentence for murder and a 20-year sentence for raping two of his disciples. Ironically, this parole comes just four days before the state assembly elections, raising concerns about the timing and implications for the electoral process.
Since 2020, Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough as many as 14 times, totaling 259 days, with at least four instances coinciding with elections. Obviously, there is more to it than simply a case of parole.
The Election Commission has set strict conditions for this latest parole, including prohibiting him from entering Haryana, making public speeches, or engaging in any political activities. This decision was communicated through a letter to the Haryana jail department, which referenced a request from Ram Rahim citing “emergency and compelling reasons” for his temporary release.
He is currently based in Baghpat in Western UP. And there is no doubt, he is back at doing what he is meant to do — to influence the polls through his support base so as to benefit the BJP.
Ram Rahim intends to spend this period at his ashram located in Baghpat. His previous paroles have often aligned suspiciously with election dates.
For instance, he was released on January 19, 2024, for 50 days ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. During the Punjab assembly elections in February 2022, he received a 21-day furlough, and he was again granted a 21-day release in June during the municipal elections in Haryana. His most recent release in August also lasted for 21 days.
Critics, including Congress spokesperson, Kewal Dhingra, have raised questions about the timing of these paroles. He said that the simultaneous granting of parole to him during the polls, appears to be designed to influence voters, undermining the fairness of the electoral process. This concern is amplified by the fact that Ram Rahim has leveraged his position to connect with followers during these times, potentially swaying voter sentiment.
In June, 2023, Ram Rahim was granted a 30-day parole that coincided with the Haryana panchayat elections, where many candidates backed by the BJP achieved victory. This pattern of releasing him around election dates suggests a strategic use of his influence by the ruling party.
Similarly, during the 2022 bypolls in Adampur, his release from October 15 to November 25 coincided with the elections, which resulted in the BJP winning the seat, previously a stronghold of the Bhajan Lal family.
Furthermore, in 2023, Ram Rahim was released from prison again on a 30-day parole during the panchayat elections, which saw a significant number of BJP-affiliated candidates securing wins. Following this, he was granted another parole from November 21 to December 13 during the Rajasthan assembly elections, which contributed to the BJP’s strong performance in the state.
According to data from the Haryana government, of the 5,832 convicts in the state’s correctional facilities, a substantial number—2,801—availed themselves of temporary release. This includes 2,007 on parole and 794 on furlough. Some individuals utilized both options multiple times, highlighting potential inconsistencies in the application of parole rules.
Support for Ram Rahim’s paroles has come from various quarters within the Haryana government. Figures such as former jail minister, Ranjit Singh Chautala, who is now contesting as an independent candidate against the BJP, along with current Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, and former CM, Manohar Lal Khattar, have defended these decisions. They assert that no regulations have been breached in the granting of these paroles.
This ongoing situation raises serious questions about the intersection of justice and politics in Haryana. The repeated release of a convicted criminal like Ram Rahim in close proximity to elections poses a risk to the integrity of the democratic process. Critics argue that these actions could manipulate the political landscape, leveraging Ram Rahim’s influence over a considerable voter base, which he has cultivated through his spiritual following.
As the elections draw closer, the implications of granting such paroles become even more critical. The scrutiny over his frequent paroles may also lead to broader discussions about parole policies and their application, particularly when tied to the electoral calendar. The dilemma pits the rights of convicts to seek temporary release against the principles of free and fair elections.
Moreover, the actions of the Haryana government could prompt a reevaluation of the regulatory framework surrounding parole and furloughs. Ensuring that such privileges are not exploited for political gain is vital for maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
The BJP’s decision to grant Ram Rahim a 20-day parole just before these assembly polls in Haryana underscores the complex dynamics at play between governance, justice and electoral politics. With growing concern about the fairness of the elections and the potential influence of his paroles on voter behaviour, this situation highlights the urgent need for more robust checks and balances to safeguard the democratic process.
Certainly, the call for accountability and transparency in how paroles are granted is likely to gain momentum, challenging the government to justify its actions and the broader implications for the rule of law in Haryana.