Show of strength: Devotees angry, say ready to die for dera

I even got a grandson after three granddaughters with the blessing of the dera. Now the need is to come forward and stand with fellow premis

JAGERA (LUDHIANA): Dera Sacha Sauda followers who gathered to protest the killing of two sect members seethed with anger on Monday. Despite differences within over whether or not to indulge in arson, the followers remained largely peaceful while blocking traffic.But conversations with them revealed emotions running high.

Ram Karan, a member of the state political affairs wing of the dera, too did not mince words, “The state government is trying to create fear in Punjab by allowing such incidents. Even after two days, the culprits are roaming free.”

“The leadership is not ready to take strict action and is instead trusting the false promises of the police. The need of the hour is to take extreme steps,” said Jiwan Kumar, a local follower.

A large part of the gathering of ‘premis’ (as the dera followers call themselves) were girls and women.

“Guru-ji (dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) is first for us; even God comes second. The killings cannot create terror among us. We are ready to die for the dera,” said Amarjit Kaur, 45, who had come from Patiala along with 40 other people.

Nasib Kaur, 70, from Barnala, said, “Guru-ji blessed us with all things in life. I even got a grandson after three granddaughters with the blessing of the dera. Now the need is to come forward and stand with fellow premis.”