The latest release has immediately revived the political debate in Punjab over the influence of Dera Sacha Sauda, its electoral footprint and, more importantly, the contrasting treatment of Ram Rahim and Sikh prisoners who have spent years behind bars. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a rape convict, has walked out on a 21-day furlough yet again from Rohtak’s Sunaria jail.
For the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, the immediate challenge is the Sikh prisoner issue. The government has been under pressure from Sikh organisations and families of prisoners seeking parole and release on humanitarian grounds. The argument likely to return to the political narrative is simple: if a convicted Dera chief can repeatedly receive temporary release, why are Sikh prisoners who have completed long periods of jail terms still facing obstacles in securing parole, remission or release? For the Congress, the issue provides another opportunity to attack both the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP-led government in Haryana. The party can question whether political considerations are influencing decisions involving high-profile prisoners.
In such a contest, even a relatively small but organised vote bloc can become important in closely fought constituencies. The Dera’s influence in parts of Malwa could therefore become an electoral talking point. The 2027 election is expected to be a multi-cornered contest involving the AAP, Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal.
