ADMN DISALLOWS ‘NAAM CHARCHA’ AFTER DEATH OF DERA FOLLOWER IN BATHINDA

BATHINDA: As the police did not allow ‘naam charcha’ (religious recitation) to be held in the house of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower after his death in Kotfatta town in the district on Thursday, the family alleged that administration does not allow them to pursue their faith.

Naam charcha was scheduled in the house of dera follower Gurcharan Singh, 73, who died recently. However, after objection by the Sikh Students’ Federation (1984), the police intervened and thwarted the plan.

Deputy superintendent of police (SSP-rural) Gopal Chand, along with naib tehsildar Lakhwinder Singh, visited the house where the event was scheduled to be held.

The officials videographed the programme while the police force was deployed to maintain the law and order in the town.

Naib Singh, brother of deceased Gurcharan Singh, alleged that the police did not let their relatives and villagers reach their home for naam charcha.

NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO MOURN THE DEAD PROPERLY: KIN

“As the police asked us not to hold naam charcha, we ended up only by paying floral tributes to the departed soul,” he said, alleging that they were not allowed even to mourn the death of a family member properly.

“We had planned to use loudspeakers also, but on the administration’s pursuance we didn’t do so,” he added.

Bathinda SSP Navin Singla said, “Due to the prevailing tense situation, we convinced the family not to hold naam charcha.

Had we allowed a large gathering and naam charcha there, it could have led to trouble as the situation continues to be sensitive over this issue in the state.”

There had been no naam charcha gatherings in the state after the sentencing of dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20-year imprisonment for raping two of his disciples.