Sant Samaj demands arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief

New Delhi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Sant Samaj, a Sikh group, has been staging a sit-in here since July 20, demanding, among other things, the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who it alleges is being encouraged by the people who are against the community.

''The sit-in is to continue till our demands are met,'' said a Sant Samaj member.

The group demanded the arrest of Ram Rahim, saying he has been chargesheeted for murder and rape by the CBI. ''The next date of his trial is on July 26 and we want justice,'' said the member.

It also demanded return of Sikh literature, paintings and artefacts of Sikh Reference Library, which were taken away from them during Operation Bluestar in June 1984.

A third demand is to review Article 25 of the Constitution which describes Sikhs as a part of the Hindu religion. They also wanted Sikhism to be constitutionally recognised as an independent and separate religion.

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