Chandigarh 25 Dec 2014 : Controversial Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has again landed in a controversy after different Sikh organisations have demanded a ban on his film, which releases early next year.
Haryana Sikhs have joined their Punjab counterparts in opposing Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s debut movie ‘Messenger of God’ (MSG). The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), representing over 18 lakh Sikhs in the state, has said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim should prove that he is a messenger of God.
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda said, “There are several criminal cases against Gurmeet Ram Rahim and he is not a law abiding citizen. Whatever he does is for his personal interests. The HSGMC opposes his film and will ask the Haryana Government to ban its release. We will write to the Censor Board.”
HSGMC senior vice-president Didar Singh Nalvi said, “The title and content of the film may hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs and Muslims. He is a self-styled Messenger of God. This is an exploitation of religious sentiments and the Centre must look into the matter. The censor board must not give certificates to such films.”Nalvi said, “Gurmeet doesn’t appear before court, presents fake medical certificates and shoots his film. We will ask the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to take action and ban the release of the film.”
The AISSF even demanded a probe on from where the Dera head got money to produce a film. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Mann) head Simranjit Singh Mann too sought a ban on the film as Gurmeet, who is in the lead role is already “facing trial in a murder and rape case”.
MSG shows the Dera head wearing flashy outfits and performing stunts like emerging from ice and dancing and singing. However, the Dera officials said the sect head is working to eradicate social evils, including female foeticide, and intake of drugs besides contibuting to cleanliness drive.