Over the last few days, there has been chaos at the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) headquarters in Haryana’s Sirsa. The sect’s head, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was convicted in a rape case on 25 August and and the sentence against him will be pronounced on Monday afternoon by a special CBI judge in Rohtak's Sunaria jail.
38 people have lost their lives so far in the violence and arson that followed the godman’s conviction.
The question now being raised is: Who will lead the well-established spiritual centre?
It is believed that there are two main contenders for the throne: Guru Brahmachari Vipasana and Honeypreet Insan, who also goes by the title of ‘Guru Brahmachari’.
The Dera was established in 1948 by Mastana Balochistani. It is involved in various political and welfare activities. In 1990, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh took over as the third head.
Option One: Guru Brahmachari Vipasana
The person most likely to inherit the DSS leadership is Guru Brahmachari Vipasana Insan, a 35-year-old woman who graduated from the Shah Satnam Ji Girls College, operated by the DSS.
She comes second in the hierarchy of the DSS. Her Twitter account describes her as the chairperson of the Dera.
She has been involved in various welfare activities of the DSS such as health camps, food and clothes distribution for the needy, and blood donation camps for army personnel.
She also heads a group of 250 Dera members, among which there are 150 women.
Option Two: The Leading Lady, Honeypreet Insan
Actor, director, editor, philanthropist, and “a great daughter of an amazing father” – the website of Honeypreet Insan, also 35 years old, describes the various roles she plays.
Her Facebook and Twitter handles refer to her as "PAPA's ANGEL" and as one who is "passionate to transform my Rockstar Papa's directions into actions!"
She is not the biological daughter of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, but has been a loyal supporter and confidante of the imprisoned guru. She has acted in all of Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s films.
She was also seen in his company while he was being taken to prison.
Her social media profiles are full of praises for her father.
Family Barred from Inheriting the Leadership Because of Dera’s Rules
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the father of three children: son Jasmeet Insan, and daughters Charanpreet Insan and Amanpreet Insan.
According to the rules listed by the Dera authorities, a family member of a Dera head cannot become the leader of the clan after him.
There are speculations that Ram Rahim may be able to manage the affairs of the organisation from jail, until the name of the next head is decided upon.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)
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