Controversial Haryana minister Anil Vij has reportedly demanded compensation for followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who were killed in the violence, which erupted during the sentencing of the self-styled Godman in the rape trial.
Vij, who has been in headlines for being a major donor to the Dera, allegedly argued that compensation was awarded to victims after last year's Jat agitation, 'so why not for the Dera victims?'
Anil Vij is no stranger to controversy. He has said Hindus can't be terrorists, that Mahatma Gandhi's image would be removed from currency bills, and that people who can't live without eating beef shouldn't visit Haryana.
Last August, Vij traveled to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa to attend a sporting event. As the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh looked on, Vij announced he would donate Rs 50 crore from his discretionary fund to the Dera. It's worth noting that the Dera Sacha Sauda had backed the BJP in the run to the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls.
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Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 50, was sentenced to two decades in prison by a CBI court for raping two women disciples in 2002. He is an inmate in Rohtak's Sunaria Jail.
During and after sentencing at Panchkula court, Ram Rahim's supporters wreaked violence across the city.
The Haryana Police has released a list of as many as 43 wanted individuals and ten photographs that show protestors damaging vehicles - including media OB vans - and throwing stones. 41 people were killed, and scores more were injured in Haryana.
Honeypreet Insan, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's adopted daughter, tops the most-wanted list.
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