Protest continues against Ram Rahim Singh as Muslim clerics issue Fatwa

Ludhiana/Chandigarh, June 22 : Protests continue against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, chief of Dera Sacha Sauda sect, as the Muslim clerics issued Fatwa in Ludhiana on Sunday barring Muslims from attending his meetings.

The Muslim clerics took to streets in solidarity of the Sikhs who are agitating against Ram Rahim following alleged killing of a Sikh man by his bodyguards on Friday.

The clerics accused him of fanning violence.

"Because of this man many people have lost their life in the past. Therefore, in this hour of crisis, we are issuing Fatwa that those Muslims who would attend prayer meetings of Baba (Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) would have no place in the community," said Habib Ur Rahman Ludhianawi, chief cleric of the Jama Mosque, Ludhiana.

The clergy led protest march witnessed burning of effigy and slogan shouting against the controversial chief of the Sikh sect.

The clergy also accused him of disturbing peace and converting Muslims to follow his fold.

Meanwhile, the Sikhs in Chandigarh also came out on streets against the Dera chief.

The protesters blamed him to ape the way of dressing of last Sikh guru--Guru Gobind Singh.

"Today, Sikhs across India are protesting against him (Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh). He tried to copy Guru Maharaj (last Sikh guru-- Guru Gobind Singh). Moreover, he also indulged in provoking people and instigating violence," said Rajender Singh, Convener f Khalsa Panthi Morcha, Chandigarh.

Earlier Authorities in Mumbai have arrested three persons in connection with the alleged killing of a man on Friday by the bodyguard of Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

According to reports, the Dera chief had gone to visit a shopping complex in Mulund in Mumbai where members of the Sikh group were also present.

Relations between the followers of the Dera Sachcha Sauda sect and Sikhs have been strained for nearly a year now, after the Dera chief had sparked a huge uproar by the Sikhs a few months ago when he allegedly tried to imitate the dress and activities of Guru Gobind Singh.

The move had enraged Sikh community and he was forced to apologies.

He had tendered an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, but the Sikh clerics had rejected his apology.

ANI