Embroiled in one controversy after the other, the Dera Sacha Sauda on Friday suggested that the Government set up a judicial commission to ascertain the facts about the attire of Guru Gobind Singh.

Asserting that all allegations against the Dera chief were politically motivated, Dera spokesperson Dr Aditya Insaan, who was here in Chandigarh, said the probe would clear the air on the matter.

The Dera spokesperson said Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had never tried to imitate Guru Gobind Singh. He pointed out that historical facts prove the Sikh Guru did not wear such robes while administering amrit. “People have to make a choice between their fundamental values and fundamentalism,” he said.

Referring to the allegations about abuse of women followers at the Dera, he asserted that none of the sadhvis had left the Dera since the allegations came out. He claimed that most of the sadhvis were highly educated and belonged to respectable families.

Asked about the possibility of another apology to put the matter to rest, Dr Insaan said the Dera has apologised at least thrice, only to be disregarded by the Sikh clergy. Ruling out the possibility of another apology, he said: “It would not serve any purpose.” He said: “Our Guru was abused, attacked, his effigies burnt. But there’ve been no voices seeking an apology for hurting our feelings.”

Dr Insaan accused the SAD Government of giving a political dimension to the raging controversy against the Dera, something which has been vehemently denied by the Government on more than one occasion. “We have been restricted in our naam charcha events. Our fundamental right to propagate our ideology is being blunted,” he alleged. The Dera spokesperson also rubbished the popular perception that the Dera supported the Congress in the Assembly elections.

... contd.