Gurmeet Ram Rahim is often referred to as the "guru in bling".
Gurmeet Ram Rahim is the 47-year-old leader of the Dera Dera Sacha Sauda organisation in Haryana, which describes itself as a social welfare and spiritual organisation with millions of followers in India and abroad. (
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The tagline for the organisation on its website is "Confluence of all religions." Its headquarters are located at a sprawling hermitage complex in Sirsa. The Dera headquarters at Sirsa is spread across roughly 700 acres of land. It houses a satsang ground across 40 acres, residential complexes, an office complex, a stadium, a boy's school, a college, a confectionery, a spice factory, agricultural farms and the walled residence of Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
In December, a court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate claims that Rahim forced 400 followers to undergo castrations at his ashram in Haryana, in order to experience God. (
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Rahim has denied the allegations, but the CBI has filed a case.
Rahim is also facing trial over the murder of a journalist in 2002 along with claims of sexually exploiting female followers. He has never appeared in court, joining hearings through video-conferencing on the grounds that his life is under threat.
The sect was founded in 1948; Rahim was 23 when he was picked as its third leader in 1990. Mainstream Sikh leaders believe that he insults and belittles their faith.
He is often referred to as the "guru in bling" for his penchant for garish costumes.
In May last year, Rahim released a music album called
Highway Love Charger - it reportedly sold three million copies in the first three days. That was his 19th studio album. His followers describe his songs as either devotional, or dedicated to preaching against social ills.
Rahim has written and co-directed the feature-film "MSG: The Messenger of God". He has also composed its music and performed its songs. The Censor Board headed by Leela Samson said the movie should be banned because it could spark protests and religious tension. But the government then referred the movie to an appeals tribunal which cleared its release. Ms Samson has resigned from the censor board, alleging government interference in the panel.
The group's website says the film "aims to spread social awareness", while a trailer on YouTube has more than two million hits.