The CBI special court in Panchkula convicted the self-styled godman, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, of raping two of his women devotees.
Tens of thousands of Dera followers created a widespread violence immediately after the verdict was announced on Friday.
The spiritual guru has been taken to a jail in the town of Rohtak until his sentence is announced on Monday.
On one side Bollywood stars Farhan Akhtar, Anupam Kher and Raveena Tandon, and many others hailed the court’s judgment.
#RamRahimVerdict #Haryana pic.twitter.com/mmj3xxzoXN
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) August 25, 2017
The nation has to address the fact that we are addicted to blind servitude and worship. Gurus, politicians, will always use it against us.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) August 25, 2017
Violence is what #GurmeetRamRahimSingh seems to have taught his followers. This is nonsense & Govt. needs to use full force to STOP it NOW.
Advertisement— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) August 25, 2017
The way the followers are reacting,rioting,itself proves what the cult was all about…saddened to see such shameful goons on the loose . https://t.co/HndVy2CjXB
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) August 25, 2017
I hope he stays in jail long enough to see every one of his Nutjob followers lose enthusiasm, go back to life, and forget about him.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) August 25, 2017
On the other hand, a lot of people, especially Dera followers, are raising slogans of his greatness.
Recently, college-going girls made a video where they vented out their anger over the court’s decision and claimed that for them their “Guruji” is above all.
The netizens called this video “scripted” and believe that these innocent girls have been brainwashed.
