A claim by Dera Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has stirred up controversy again. Ram Rahim has claimed that Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli took the ‘Gurumantra’ from him.
Dera Chief, who is accused of abuse and murder, has claimed that Indian cricketer Virat Kohli received spiritual guidance (Gurumantra) from him. Addressing an online gathering from the Sirsa dera, Ram Rahim said that Virat Kohli came to the dera in 2010 and had come to him before that in 2007-08.
The dera chief said, “Kohli later took the Gurumantra. Many other cricketers have also sought spiritual guidance.” The claim further said that during a cricket match held at the Dera, some Pakistani players followed the teachings of the dera despite being Muslims.
Let us tell you that Ram Rahim has made such claims before. About 8 years ago, he had said that players like Kohli, Zaheer Khan, Shikhar Dhawan and Yusuf Pathan had trained under him. The Dera chief alleged that he has video evidence of his training but it is up to the players to accept it or not.
It is worth mentioning that Ram Rahim is serving a life sentence in Sunaria Jail in Rohtak for sexually assaulting female followers and killing journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati. He was released on 30-day parole on January 28, the government had allowed him to stay at the Sirsa Dera, from where he is giving virtual sermons.
It should be noted that the parole of the Dera chief has also given rise to political speculation, as it coincides with the Delhi Assembly elections to be held on February 5.