‘No succession plan, no drive’

CHANDIGARH: With Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh jailed for 20 years following his conviction in a rape case, sect chairperson Vipassana Insan on Saturday refuted rumours about the succession plan at the Sirsa-based commune.

In an appeal to dera followers in a 55-second video, she says there are several rumours about the dera or its head announcing his successor. “Beware of such rumours. There is nothing like this.”

There were reports that Gurmeet’s son, Jasmeet Insan, has been made chief executive to manage the dera.

“Some mischievous elements are also spreading rumours about a ‘jail bharo abhiyaan’. Don’t be misled by them,” she adds in the video, shared with the media.

‘DERA ABIDES BY LAW’ She also said that the dera has complete faith in the judicial process. “All of you should follow the law of the land, without being misled by anyone.”

In recorded message, Vipassana appeals to dera followers not to believe in ‘rumours by mischievous elements’. ‘NO DISCOURSES’ Vipassana also informed the followers that there will be no discourses or any other programme at the dera headquarters in Sirsa for the time being and advised them to stay at home.

A large number of the sect’s centres in Punjab and Haryana have been sealed or deserted.