Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), also referred to as the “Dera,” was founded on April 29, 1948, by Mastana Balochistani in Sirsa, India, as a center for religious instruction. Its founding principles emphasized humanitarian service and meditation, with followers required to practice vegetarianism, abstain from intoxicants, and observe marital fidelity.
After Balochistani’s death in 1960, leadership consolidated under Shah Satnam Singh, who expanded the DSS’s reach across northern India, particularly among working-class and rural communities in Haryana and Rajasthan. In September 1990, Shah Satnam Singh appointed Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as his successor.
Under Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the organization experienced rapid growth, establishing dozens of ashrams and claiming a global following of more than 60 million people. His administration expanded the Dera into a large and diversified network that operated schools, hospitals, supermarkets, and manufacturing facilities, functioning largely as a self-contained system.
During this period, the Dera also became more visible in electoral politics. It frequently mobilized its large base of supporters to vote for specific political parties, seeking influence and security in return. This political engagement distinguished the organization from many other Indian religious groups.
In the early 2000s, the Dera became the subject of criminal allegations. In 2002, an anonymous letter written by a female follower accused Gurmeet Singh of repeatedly raping female devotees at the Sirsa headquarters. The letter claimed that the assaults were presented as divine pardon. The letter was later published by journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. Shortly afterward, Chhatrapati was shot outside his home and later died from his injuries. Authorities also began investigating the murder of Ranjit Singh, a former Dera manager and follower.
As investigations continued, reports surfaced that between 400 and 500 male followers had undergone forced castration. Victims stated they were told the procedure would bring them closer to God and were often sedated beforehand. The Dera maintained that the surgeries were meant to prevent sexual misconduct, while former members described the practice as a means of exerting control.
At the same time, Gurmeet Singh developed a prominent public persona. He launched a career in music and film, debuting as a lead actor in “MSG: The Messenger of God” in 2015. In subsequent productions, he frequently credited himself in multiple roles, including director, choreographer, and stunt coordinator. His films and music videos, such as “Highway Love Charger,” featured elaborate costumes and storylines portraying him as a heroic figure addressing social problems and fictional threats.
On August 25, 2017, a court in Panchkula convicted Gurmeet Singh of raping two female followers. The verdict triggered large-scale unrest as more than 150,000 supporters gathered in protest, leading to at least 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Following the conviction, Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Subsequent investigations uncovered a private “sex cave” at the Sirsa headquarters and evidence of mass graves on the premises.
In January 2019, he received a life sentence for Chhatrapati’s murder. In October 2021, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Ranjit Singh, though he and four co-defendants were later acquitted of this charge by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in May 2024. During his incarceration, Singh has periodically been granted parole, allowing him to release music videos and communicate with followers through video broadcasts.
Key Sources:
The Associated Press. (2017, August 26). Indian guru convicted of rape revered by millions.
Copeman, J. (2009). Veins of Devotion: Blood Donation and Religious Experience in North India. Rutgers University Press.
Greer, D. (2025, March 22). B.C. court voids “cult” marriage, finding young woman didn’t “truly consent” to it. Global News.
Pundir, P. (2021, October 29). I joined a cult believing I’d be closer to God. Then, I was castrated. Vice.
Rowlatt, J. (2017, August 30). Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: Why India rapist guru remains ‘god’ for followers. BBC News.
Tiware, T. (2007, June 4). There’s The Lord, And His Gopis. Outlook.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 