Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, also known as MSG [1]Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan is a controversial Indian religious leader, who is the head of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS). He has been convicted in two rape cases and two murders. Numerous cases registered against him include accusations of forced castration of followers and hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs and Hindus.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan [2]Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan was born as Harpal Singh [3]The Quint on Monday, 10 July 1967 (age 56 years; as of 2023) in Kikar Khera, Punjab.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s birth certificate, issued by the Department of Health & Family Welfare Punjab, which shows his real name, date of birth, and birthplace
He publically claims that he was born on Tuesday, 15 August 1967 in Sri Gurusar Modia, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. [4]News18 His real zodiac sign is Cancer. According to his fake birthday 15 August, his zodiac is Leo. Sources say that he was expelled from school when he was in Class 9. [5]India Today
Childhood picture of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
He belongs to a Jatt Sikh family. [6]India Today
Parents & Siblings
His father, Maghar Singh (deceased), was a landlord in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district. His mother, Naseeb Kaur, was a homemaker. Reportedly, Ram Rahim was born after 18 years of marriage. He is an only child. [7]India Today
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s father, Maghar Singh
Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s mother, Naseeb Kaur
Wife & Children
In the 1980s, at the age of 18, Ram Rahim got married to Harjeet Kaur.
An old picture of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with his wife and children
Together, they have two daughters, Charanpreet Kaur Insan and Amarpreet Kaur Insan, and a son, Jasmeet Singh Insan. Ram Rahim adopted a girl named Honeypreet Kaur as his third daughter in 2009. Jasmeet is married to Husanmeet Kaur, the daughter of Punjab Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with his daughters, Charanpreet Kaur, Amarpreet Kaur, and Honeypreet
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s son Jasmeet Insan with his wife Husanmeet Insan
Others
His daughters, Charanpreet and Amarpreet, are married, and their husbands help run the Dera’s activities. Ram Rahim gave unique names to Charanpreet’s sons. One is named Sweetluck Singh and the other is named Subah-e-Dil.
Religion/Religious Views
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan is the Chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, which promotes humanity as the greatest religion. [8]Dera Sacha Sauda
Signature/Autograph
Autograph of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan
Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS)
Ram Rahim was just seven when his father, Maghar Singh, started visiting the religious cult Dera Sacha Sauda. It was founded by Baba Balochistani Beparwah Mastana ji in 1948. A large proportion of Dera followers came from the backward classes or Dalit communities. Growing up, Ram Rahim helped his father with volunteer work at the Dera. He would do various odd jobs. In 1990, Shah Satnam decided he wanted to retire and choose someone to take over his leadership position. At that time, three people were being considered for the role, but Gurmeet was not one of them. Surprisingly, Shah Satnam picked Gurmeet Singh to be the new leader and gave him the special name Huzoor Maharaj Gurmeet Ram Rahim. On 23 September 1990, at the age of 23, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became the third Chief of the DSS.
Like the previous Dera heads, who lived a simple life, Gurmeet enjoyed wearing bright, flashy clothes and living a life full of glamour. The media often called him names like“godman of bling,” guru in bling,” and “Baba of bling.” because of his love for shiny outfits.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim arriving for a press conference in New Delhi
When he took over, the Dera had just under a million followers, but with him in charge, that number grew more than 70 times. His followers began using the last name “Insan.” They called Ram Rahim Pita-ji. [9]Hindustan Times The Dera’s main campus in Sirsa spread over 700 acres, was like a fantasy world. It included a heart-shaped hospital named Shah Satnamji Speciality Hospital, a big mall with a food court, a fancy ship-shaped resort called MSG Resort, a modern gym, a school named Saint MSG Glorious International School, and much more.
One of the wonder villas inside the Dera
There was even a theme park area with copies of famous places like the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, and Disneyland, among others. During an interview with the media in November 2014, Ram Rahim revealed that he attracted the youth by offering them sugar-coated pills of quinine. [10]India Today
A picture of the theme park-like resort at the DSS headquarters in Sirsa
Exploitation of Women Devotees
In the heart of Dera was a special place, a cave-like underground house called ‘Tera Was,’ his private residence. It was also referred to as Ram Rahim’s ‘gufa.’ He used this place to sexually exploit his women devotees. Girls were posted at the gate of the gufa as security guards. There was a tunnel that connected Tera Was to female disciples’ hostel (Sadhvi Niwas). He would choose a woman devotee and convince her to submit to him physically, saying that this was an act of pardon (maafi). The women were led to believe that this was a divine act. After being raped, these women stayed at the Dera until they were married to male followers chosen by Ram Rahim himself. Usually, these men were either neutered or served Ram Rahim as slaves. [11]India Today.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s mysterious cave, where he exploited his women devotees
Public Welfare Projects
Ram Rahim started many projects to help the community, like health check-ups for blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, which were recognized by Guinness World Records. He has six Guinness World Records: three for setting up the biggest blood donation camps and three for the largest tree planting events. He teamed up with the American Society of Echocardiography to create a world record for the “Most Cardiac Echo Tests” done at one event. In 2009, he began a mission to stop forced prostitution and help women leave the sex industry, even helping them marry into good families. He also offered medical help to those with HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Rahim inspired his followers to marry these women, leading to 1500 men agreeing to marry women who had left prostitution behind. Many of these marriages have been successful.
He contributed to sports by establishing the MSG Bharatiya Khel Gaon, a sports complex spread across 23 acres in his Dera headquarters.
Entertainment Industry
Singing devotional songs to the tunes of electric guitar, Ram Rahim gained the reputation of a “Rockstar Baba.” [12]The Economic Times among his followers. In 2012, one of the world’s largest music companies Universal Music tied up with Ram Rahim for the commercial launch of his music. Thereafter, he released various music albums under Universal Music like Thank You For That (2012), Network Tere Love Ka (2012), Chashma Yaar Ka (2012), Insan (2012), and Lov Rab Se (2013).
Album cover of Network Tere Love Ka (2012)
In 2014, his 19th studio album Highway Love Charger gained immense popularity, selling 3 million copies in the first three days. The album was also an instant hit on YouTube. Eventually, he hosted hundreds of concerts called ‘Ruhani Ru-ba-Ru Nights.’
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during a concert
On 13 February 2015, he made his film debut with MSG: The Messenger of God in which he played the lead role of Guruji, an action-hunk social reformer who works to help people fight against social evils.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as Guruji in MSG: The Messenger (2015)
Its sequel was released in September of the same year. Critics gave the film negative reviews, calling it a piece of propaganda. Despite this, it is said that the support from Ram Rahim’s followers helped the movie make over 100 crore. Thereafter, he starred in MSG: The Warrior Lion Heart (2016), Hind ka Napak ko Jawab (2017), and Jattu Engineer (2017). Ram Rahim is credited in multiple departments of his films, which include direction, writing, choreography, editing, make-up and hair design, background scoring, and prop design. On 2 September 2017, the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and the Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) barred Ram Rahim from being involved in any upcoming film and TV endeavours in India due to his involvement in criminal activities and unethical conduct.
Political Influence
With over five crore fanatic followers, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh gained importance among political parties. Ahead of the 2007 Punjab polls, Ram Rahim showed support to the Amarinder Singh-led Congress. The Dera backed the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP in the 2012 and 2017 Punjab polls. [13]India Today In 2014, the Dera’s political branch, Saadh Sangat Rajnitik, supported the BJP in the Haryana Assembly elections. This was the first time the BJP won in the state, securing 47 out of 90 seats and forming the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and campaigned near the Dera headquarters before the elections. Led by Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP’s election head in Haryana, 44 BJP candidates visited Singh for his blessings. Before that, BJP chief Amit Shah had also met with the Dera leader.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh launching a cleanliness drive in Delhi along with the BJP’s Manoj Tiwari and General VK Singh
Controversies
Two Rape Convictions
In 2002, Gurmeet Ram Rahim was accused of sexual assault by his two female disciples. One of the victims reached out to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee via a letter, claiming Ram Rahim sexually abused his female disciples at the Dera. This letter led to a CBI investigation when the Punjab and Haryana High Court sought a detailed report on the allegations from the District and Sessions Judge of Sirsa. [14]India Today The case saw a significant moment in 2014 when Ram Rahim claimed he was impotent since 1990. His claims were dismissed by a special CBI court. In 2017, after a 15-year-long legal battle, Ram Rahim was found guilty of two counts of rape by a special CBI court in Panchkula, Haryana, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. [15]The Times of India
Murder of Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati
Ram Chander Chhatrapati was the first journalist who published the anonymous letter accusing Ram Rahim of rape in 2002. Chhatrapati was shot at point-blank range outside his residence in Sirsa on 24 October 2002 by two local carpenters named Nirmal Singh and Kuldeep Singh. On 11 January 2019, Ram Rahim was found guilty of involvement in the murder. He received a life sentence from a Special CBI Court on 17 January 2019. At that time, he was already serving a 20-year sentence in two rape cases. [16]The Times of India
Murder of Dera Manager Ranjit Singh
In 2002, Ranjit Singh, who previously served as the manager of the Dera, was murdered in the fields near his village in the Kurukshetra district. He was the sibling of the woman who anonymously accused Ram Rahim of sexual assault in a letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Nearly two decades later, on 18 October 2021, a Special CBI Court in Panchkula sentenced Ram Rahim and four others to life imprisonment for their involvement in Singh’s murder. The co-accused in the case included Avtar Singh, Krishan Lal, Jasbir Singh, and Sabdil Singh. Inder Sain, another accused, died during the trial in 2020. [17]The Times of India
Dressing as Guru Gobind Singh
In May 2007, Ram Rahim provoked the Sikh community by modelling a pink robe similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh at a congregation in Salabatpura, Bathinda.
Ram Rahim imitating Guru Gobind Singh at a congregation in Salabatpura, Bathinda in 2007
He also wore a turban with a kalgi (an egret feather) just like Guru Gobind Singh. This led to a series of violent protests and vandalism by Sikhs throughout India. Although the DSS tendered multiple apologies saying that there was a misunderstanding, legal cases were registered against Ram Rahim. [18]The Times of India On 27 September 2015, the Akal Takht, the supreme religious authority of the Sikhs, accepted Ram Rahim’s apology for his imitation of Guru Gobind Singh and granted him a pardon. However, this decision was reversed on 16 October, due to widespread discord and protests from Sikhs, who were deeply upset by the pardon. [19]Hindustan Times
Guru Granth Sahib Sacrilege Cases
In 2015, Ram Rahim faced accusations in three incidents related to the theft and sacrilege of the Bir Sahibs, copies of the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib. These incidents involved the display of offensive posters on 24 September 2015, and the scattering of torn pages from the Bir Sahib in Bargari on 12 October 2015. [20]Hindustan Times
Booked for Posing as Lord Vishnu
In January 2016, he hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus by dressing up as Lord Vishnu. In a viral video, Ram Rahim was seen descending from the sky wearing an outfit which looked similar to that of Lord Vishnu. Thereafter, activists of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) lodged a complaint against him with the Moga police. [21]Hindustan Times
A collage showing similarity between Lord Vishnu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s outfit
Forced Castration of Followers
In 2018, the CBI accused Ram Rahim and two doctors, Pankaj Garg and M P Singh, of forcing castration on 400 followers of the Dera. Castration is when the testicles of a male animal or person are removed. Ram Rahim denied the charges. On 5 October 2018, a court in Panchkula gave him bail for this case, but he stayed in jail because he was serving a 20-year sentence in two rape cases. [22]The Economic Times
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- On 27 October 2013, he received a Global Plaque from Universal Music for the highest sale of one of his music albums.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim receiving Global Plaque by Universal Music on 27 October 2013
- In 2016, he won the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award (2016) in the category of “Most Popular Actor, Director, and Writer.”
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh accepting the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award (2016)
- In 2016, he received a Platinum Plaque for Best Composition & Best Music Direction by IFPI And Sony DADC for over 1 Million (10 lakhs) sales of CDs and DVDs of his film MSG: The Messenger (2015).
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh receiving a Platinum Plaque for Best Composition & Best Music Direction by IFPI And Sony DADC in 2016
- In 2016, he received the Giants International Award for his social welfare works.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh receiving Giants International Award for his social welfare works in 2016
- On 6 February 2017, he won Bright Award for “Best Actor & Most Versatile Personality,” presented to him at the Hotel Peninsula Grand in Andheri, Mumbai.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh receiving Bright Award for Best Actor & Most Versatile Personality on 6 February 2017 at the Hotel Peninsula Grand in Andheri, Mumbai
Car Collection
- Modified Hyundai Santro
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Modified Hyundai Santro
- A Hummer look-alike
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh driving his Hummer look-alike
- Bugatti Veyron (Honda Accord)
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh posing with his Bugatti Veyron (Honda Accord)
- Modified Maruti Suzuki Gypsy
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s modified Maruti Suzuki Gypsy
- Range Rover
- Ford Endeavour
He owns various other vehicles apart from the above-mentioned cars. Most of them a customised by him. Pictures of some of them are mentioned below.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s car
Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s car
Gurmeet Ram Rahim driving his purple car
One of the cars of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
A car of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Facts/Trivia
- Soon after Ram Rahim took over as the leader of the Dera in 1990, people there began to claim that he was the rebirth of Beparwah Mastana Balochistani. Reportedly, Balochistani, who passed away in 1960, had predicted he would come back to life seven years later. Being born in 1967 supported Ram Rahim’s position as the head of the Dera.
- When Ram Rahim was working at the Dera, his friend Gurjant Singh was sent to jail because he avenged his uncle’s death. In jail, Gurjant was influenced by Khalistani militants. Gurjant joined the Khalistani movement after getting out of jail and moved up in the ranks quickly. Locals in Sirsa say that Gurjant played a part in Ram Rahim becoming the leader of the Dera, but there’s no solid evidence of any threats by Gurjant.
- It is believed that his nickname MSG originates from either the first letters of the names of the three Dera leaders, Shah Mastana, Shah Satnam, and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, or it stands for “Messenger of God.”
- He officially renounced his family and adopted celibacy after becoming the Dera chief. Despite the announcement, he was often seen posing with his family members at various public events.
- His wife has managed to remain out of the spotlight. It is believed that she remains within the Dera complex and dresses in plain clothes similar to the other followers, which is why she often goes unnoticed.
- Ram Rahim’s adopted daughter, Honeypreet Insan, had been his follower since the late ’90s. Ram Rahim organized her wedding in 1999 to Vishwas Gupta, a Dera devotee. Later on, Honeypreet claimed that her husband’s family was pressuring her for a dowry to fund Vishwas’s business. On the contrary, Vishwas alleged that Honeypreet and Ram Rahim were involved in an inappropriate relationship. In 2011, Vishwas approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, trying to get his wife back from Ram Rahim’s custody. In 2014, Vishwas and his father dismissed accusations against Ram Rahim and publically apologized to him.
- His daughters call themselves Papa’s Angels. [23]India Today
- On 2 February 2008, an attempt was made on Ram Rahim’s life with explosives near Nilokheri in the Karnal district. The explosion injured 11 people, including six security personnel. Bakshish Singh, a member of the Khalistan Liberation Force, was later arrested for planning the attack with his accomplices. This happened after Ram Rahim hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs by wearing clothing similar to Guru Gobind Singh in an advertisement.
- In 2015, The Indian Express named Ram Rahim as one of the top 100 most influential people in India.
- More than 4,000 recommendations were seeking the Padma Award for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim in 2017.
- After he was convicted in two sexual assault cases in 2017, riots and extensive destruction broke out across India. It’s reported that between 31 and 38 members of his group died and 120 to 300 were injured during clashes with the police. On 26 August 2017, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana ordered the police to take over Dera’s properties to pay for the damage done by his followers during the riots.
- Following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Haryana government disclosed that the Dera Sacha Sauda’s total valuation in Sirsa was approximately Rs 1,453 crore. It was further estimated that the DSS held assets across the state worth about Rs 1,600 crore. [24]India Today
- On the other hand, the Punjab government valued Dera’s properties within its jurisdiction at Rs 52 crore. [25]The Indian Express The DSS had Rs 74.96 crore spread across 473 bank accounts, while Ram Rahim possessed Rs 7.72 crore in 12 personal bank accounts. [26]The Indian Express Additionally, it was revealed that DSS owned 56 acres of land in the Nalgonda district of Telangana in the same year. [27]Hindustan Times
- While he was in jail, a panel of five medical professionals, along with a psychiatrist among them from PGIMS, determined that Ram Rahim Singh showed symptoms of sex addiction. They diagnosed him with satyriasis, uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire in a man. [28]India Today
- It was also reported the Dera chief consumed alcohol till 1988. [29]India Today While talking about the same, a doctor said,
He may not be drinking liquor now, but he regularly consumed energy drinks and sex tonics that were specially imported from Australia and other countries.”
- He has been occasionally spotted smoking a cigar.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh smoking cigar in a helicopter
- In 2022, while he was serving his life sentence, Ram Rahim announced that his blood type had shifted from O positive to O negative. However, the Dera leader failed to provide any proof of it, whether medical or otherwise. [30]DNA
- He holds 22 Guinness records for various achievements, including creating the largest poster and the biggest finger-painting, having the most people sanitizing hands at once, and receiving the highest number of birthday videos (32,207) in one day.
- The Yoga Federation of India (YFI) suggested him for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Dronacharya Awards for training yogis who became world champion yogis.’
- In 2020, Ram Rahim was allowed a one-day parole, followed by a 12-hour parole in 2021 to see his ailing mother.
- On 22 February 2022, he received Z-Plus security from the Haryana government due to threats from pro-Khalistan groups. This security measure was implemented while he was on a 21-day furlough starting 7 February 2022, to visit relatives in Gurugram.
- During a 30-day parole in June 2022, he resided at his Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram in Barnawa, Uttar Pradesh.
- In October 2022, while on a 40-day parole, he published music videos for “Sadi Nit Diwali,” “Jaago Duniya De Loko,” and “Chat Pe Chat” on YouTube.
- Another 40-day parole was granted to him in January 2023, during which a video of him cutting a cake with a sword at Barnala Ashram in Baghpat went viral on 23 January 2023, violating the Arms Act of 1959’s rules against public display of weapons.
- Further paroles were granted to him for 30 days in July 2023 and 21 days in November 2023.
- On 19 January 2024, he was again permitted a 50-day parole.
References
