Who is ram rahim
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, more famously known as Dr. Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan or simply ‘The Guru’, is a controversial Indian figure who has dipped his fingers in multiple areas from spirituality to film-making, and sports including cricket.
Background
Born on 15th August 1967 in Rajasthan, India, he served as the head of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), a spiritual institution based in Northern India, from 1990 until 2017 when he was convicted for rape and murder. However, his story doesn’t stop there; amidst the controversies, Ram Rahim had constructed an astounding persona ranging from spiritual guru to pop-star to movie actor-director-producer and sportsperson, particularly tapping into cricket which is highly venerated in India.
The Cricket Connection
Cricket is not just a game but a religion in India, enthralling masses with its charm. In this land where cricket players are treated as demigods, Ram Rahim also ventured into it ambitiously. Prior to his conviction, he held positions such as player, coach, umpire and patron at various levels of local and regional cricket tournaments.
Bollywood Stint – MSG: The Messenger
A significant instance showcasing Singh’s connection to cricket came through his Bollywood debut ‘MSG: The Messenger’, where he portrayed himself doing miraculous feats on the cricket field. He was shown levering bizarre shots using outrageous baseless techniques that profess batting efficiency against any bowling attack in the world. Besides mocking physics in those scenes, this piece implied his self-proclaimed prowess both autobographically and literally.
Full Video in Youtube
Training the Underprivileged
Ram Rahim took genuine interest in training underprivileged children in rural areas with limited opportunities to play cricket. According to reports and his devotees, he taught cricket to many children in the northern Indian state of Haryana and Punjab. Considering cricket’s popularity in India, these efforts were viewed as commendable initiatives aimed at connecting these disadvantaged youth with a promising future.
Supporting Women’s Cricket
Singh was passionate about upliftment of women in sports, especially cricket. He had set up girls’ teams and arranged for specialized training sessions and equipment for them. His support to promote women’s cricket on an equal footing with men demonstrated progressive ideals contrary to his overall controversial persona.
The Controversies
However, amidst all these endeavors, Singh couldn’t eschew from controversies which have significantly tarnished his image globally. His antics on the cricket ground often crossed over into absurdity or extravagance – like claiming to accomplish impossible feats such as hitting a six on every ball.
Rape and Murder Convictions
Although Ram Rahim pledged his life to service and spiritualism, cases lodged against him narrated different tales – ranging from forced castration of followers to rapes. In August 2017, he was convicted of raping two female followers dating back to incidents in 2002 – sparking violent protests by his devotees leading to numerous deaths and wide disruption across Haryana and Punjab states.
In a country where cricket is revered not lesser than religion itself, it’s indeed vexing how intensely Singh mixed spirituality with entertainment including this celebrated sport. The story of Gurmeet Ram Rahim is an example of how even the noblest institutions can be exploited when placed in a misguided individual’s hands.
