Bollywood stars such as Rishi Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Anupam Kher and Raveena Tandon, among others have praised the court's judgement against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. CBI judge Jagdeep Singh held the 50-year-old self-styled godman, guilty of rape in a case that was registered on the basis of an anonymous written complaint in 2002 that he had sexually exploited two female followers.
Violence broke out in Punjab and Haryana post the verdict, which claimed 28 lives and left 250 injured. Rishi Kapoor took to Twitter and said, “Attach all Dera properties and sell them to compensate the national loss by arson and vandalism. Shame Gurmeet followers. No respect for you”.
The Kapoor and Sons actor further added, “Frauds.Blind faith in con people.Government must punish these fraudsters.Sukhwinder Kaur(Radhema)Gurmeet,Asaram,Nityananda.All Criminals!”
"To all those on the rampage and all those allowing it to continue, please try and imagine what the victims must feel seeing the violence in support of their rapist... "I assume that you, his followers, were taught the meaning and value of compassion... Please end the violence. Please allow the police to do their job. Please allow the law of the land to take its course," Farhan posted.
Kher tweeted, "Violence is what #GurmeetRamRahimSingh seems to have taught his followers. This is nonsense and government needs to use full force to stop it now."
Raveena wrote, "The way the followers are reacting, rioting, itself proves what the cult was all about... Saddened to see such shameful goons on the loose."
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said, "Thanks to our judiciarydemocracy lives on. #Pride."
Stand-up comedian-actor Vir Das posted, "I hope he stays in jail long enough to see every one of his nutjob followers lose enthusiasm, go back to life, and forget about him."The nation has to address the fact that we are addicted to blind servitude and worship. Gurus, politicians, will always use it against us."
Music composer Salim Merchant tweeted, "I'm sure the 'Guru' taught the importance of peace in this world. Reports from Punjab and Haryana are devastating. #RamRahimVerdict"
Anubhav Sinha said he was surprised by the violence against the "arrest of a convicted rapist".
"Hundreds of thousands of us so violently protest against the arrest of a convicted rapist. Is this who we are?" he wrote.
Actor Amyra Dastur tweeted, "A big win for the people,especially the daughters of India #RamRahimVerdict. "But can't believe the poor measures that have been taken
to prevent such a horrific mob outburst from happening!"
VJ-actor Rannvijay Singha, who hails from Punjab, said, "Punjab and Haryana High Court orders attachment of entire property of #DeraSachaSauda to compensate for the damage. But what about the lives lost?"
Actor Bhumi Pednekar tweeted, "I hope my friends and family are all safe in Chandigarh. It's a very sad state of affairs. Be safe."
(With PTI Inputs)
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