The violence that ensued after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape has claimed 36 lives so far, and injured at least 250 people. Very little is known right now of the people who lost their lives in the indiscriminate violence.
The police and the authorities in Panchkula, where at least 30 of the deaths took place, have identified only 19 so far, reported The Indian Express. As more details of the deaths emerge, here is what we know of some of the lives lost.
Lovepreet, 15
Fifteen-year-old Lovepreet had visited his aunt in Ganganagar a few days ago when he was told of a satsang in Panchkula. Lovepreet’s father Kaka Singh told The Indian Express that he joined the satsang, but was not told of any court hearing. Nobody in Lovepreet’s family is a follower of the dera, his father said.
Lovepreet hailed from a village called Fakkarau Kheri in Melot, Punjab.
Manish, 21
Twenty-one-year-old Manish had gone to Panchkula because his friends told him there was a function, and that it might be a “fun outing.” His parents tried to call him on his phone all night but couldn’t get through.
“He told us that his friends were going for Ram Rahim’s function. We don’t even follow this guru,” his father Surinder told The Indian Express.
Manish hailed from Karnal, Haryana and was a college student.
Jagroop, 48
Forty-eight-year-old Jagroop’s son said his father could never have been violent. He’s convinced he had been a victim of the violence instead. Jagroop had been a follower of the Dera for many years. He had been told the baba would give darshan in Panchkula.
Jagroop hailed from Barnala in Punjab and was a farmer.
Gurpal Singh, 24
Twenty-four-year-old Gurpal Singh was told there was a satsang at Panchkula, his father Bhola Singh told The Indian Express. He went because everybody in his locality was going. His father said he was at work and couldn’t stop him. He believed Gurpal could not have indulged in violence.
Gurpal Singh hailed from Patiala, Punjab.
Hari Singh, 55
Fifty-five-year old Hari Singh was a staunch supporter of the Dera. He was a part of the Dera’s Green Welfare Force along with his wife. He even named their two sons, Gurmeet Singh and Ram Singh, after the Dera chief. He had gone to Panchkula ahead of the verdict.
Hari Singh was from Bathinda, Punjab. He ran a general store in his village.
Gurpiar Singh, 35
Thirty-five-year-old Gurpiar Singh had gone to Panchkula on 23 August along with four of his brothers. He is survived by a wife and two minor children.
Gurpiar hailed from Muktsar in Punjab.
Ramesh, 56
Fifty-six-year-old Ramesh was under the impression that Gurmeet Ram Rahim would be addressing a gathering at Panchkula. He reportedly never knew of any court verdict and did not anticipate any violence. “Everybody was taken for a ride,” his brother Jassi told The Indian Express.
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