NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana is being accused of giving VIP treatment to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction yesterday. In 2017 elections, it supported the Akali-BJP combine, even though Akalis and Dera supporters have clashed several times over sectarian issues.What gives Dera Sacha Sauda such a clout with different political parties? Most of the Dera followers, called 'premis', are from Dalit and backward castes. The Dera followers readily help one another in times of trouble.The political clout of Dera Sacha Sauda stems from its large number of lower-caste followers, even though a significant number comes from upper castes too. Obversely, Dera heads accused in criminal cases, like Gurmeet Ram Rahim, actively seek political patronage.

Source: Economic Times August 26, 2017 11:18 UTC