Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

RAM RAHIM’S SON JASMEET IS DERA CHIEF EXECUTIVE

- Ravinder Vasudeva ravinder.vasudeva@hindustant­imes.com

CHANDIGARH: Facing a crisis of leadership and image after the 20-year sentencing of sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, Sirsa-headquarte­red Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) on Tuesday declared his 33-year-old son, Jasmeet Insan, as “karajkari parbandhak” (executive manager) with all financial and decisionma­king powers. Jasmeet’s posting as effectivel­y the chief executive officer stops shot of handover of the ‘gaddi’ (seat), and comes amid speculatio­ns that the headship would be given to someone from outside the family. ››

CHANDIGARH: Facing a crisis of leadership and image after the 20-year sentencing of sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, Sirsa-headquarte­red Der a Sac ha Saud a( D SS) on Tuesday declared his 33- year-old son, Jasmeet Insan, as “karajkari par-bandhak” (executive manager) with all financial and decisionma­king powers.

Jasmeet’s posting as effectivel­y the chief executive officer stops short of handover of the ‘gaddi’ (seat), and comes amid speculatio­n that the headship would be given to someone from outside the family as per these ct’ s convention. The two women being talked about are the dera head’ s adopted daughter Honey-preet Insan and the sect’s chairperso­n Vi pass ana.

G ur meet Ram Ra him will thus continue to remain the “spiritual and supreme head ”, sources said.

The decision to give the executive position to Jasmeet was taken at a 45-member core committee meeting of the dera on Monday, the day the dera chief was sentenced. Gurmeet’s mother Naseeb Kaur was present at the meeting and strongly persuaded Jasmeet’s case, said a top dera follower.

Born on August 17,1984, as per his school certificat­e, Jasmeet is married to Bat hinda region Congress leader and former minister Harminder Jassi’s daughter, Hus an meet. J as si, a top Congress source revealed, has been camping at the dera headquarte­rs in Sirsa for the last three days and also played an instrument­al role in pushing Jasmeet’s name.

“Most members of the committee, which comprises managers and trustees, were in favour of elevating Jasmeet, who till now was looking after the sports wing. Sadhvi (‘saint ’) Vi pass ana, who is chairperso­n for routine functionin­g, was also present at the meeting ,” sources close to a trustee hailing from the Malwa region told HT. Sources said Honey p re et denied any post. She has remained incommunic­ado.

 ??  ?? Jasmeet Insan
Jasmeet Insan

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