Dera Sacha Sauda

Dera Sacha Sauda
Type Non-profit spiritual organization
Headquarters Sirsa, Haryana, India
Founder
 Mastana Balochistani
Successor
 Shah Satnam Singh
Current leader
 Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Website http://www.derasachasauda.org

Dera Sacha Sauda (colloquially DSS) is a non-profit Social Welfare and Spiritual Organization, established in 1948, by the ascetic Mastana Balochistani, as a centre for spiritual learning. Its main centre is situated in Sirsa, Haryana, in the northern region of India.[1][2]

History

Dera Sacha Sauda was established by Shah Mastana from Baluchistan, in 1948. He was popularly known among his devotees as His Holiness Beparawah Mastana Ji Maharaj. He died on 18 April 1960.[3] Shah Satnam Singh, born on 25 January 1919 took over the spiritual leadership position from Mastana Ji Maharaj at the age of 41 and served for thirty years (1960-1990). He died on 13 December 1991.[4] Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became the third leader of DSS on 23 September 1990.

Principles and positions

The sect cites as its principles, laid down by Shah Mastana: secularism, equality, no acceptance of materialistic wealth, and truth and faith over everything else, meditation to the road of truth, quietism, strict individual discipline, strict social discipline, hard work, faith and meditation to escape from re-births (moksha). The organisation envisions an egalitarian, conflict free and peaceful world where the inner spiritual realization, self-confidence and attainment of God are foremost through the practice of true meditation. The world order will be free of social evils, exploitation and sinful conduct. Practically the women will find their right place in society. - as quoted in official statements.

Welfare activities

The entrance of Shah Satnam Ji Dham, Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, Haryana

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh formed a welfare and disaster relief organisation called Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Welfare Force, which now has more than 65,000 doctors, engineers, rescuers, paramedics, and tradesmen participating.[5] The organisation has rendered aid during many of India's natural disasters like Kolkata fire[6] and the factory collapse in Jalandhar.[7] [8]

During the 2013 flash floods in Uttarakhand, a team of volunteers and doctors provided medical care to people, distributed food packets and conducted rescue missions.[9][10] The area of Deoli-Brahmgram village was called a 'village of widows' as many men belonging to the area died in the floods. In an attempt to rehabilitate the women, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh announced that 1,500 followers of the sect were willing to tie the knot with the Uttarakhand widows. [11]

Anti-prostitution initiatives began in November 2009, when Singh called on his followers to counter prostitution, and to help sex-workers escape a "life of perpetual slavery".[12] In December 2009, Dera and its volunteers took a step towards reducing sex trafficking in the country and also preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS virus, by giving a consent for marriage with adult sex workers and to "help them escape their dreary existence".[13]In January 2010, a mass marriage ceremony for former sex workers took place in Sirsa. [14][15][16][17][18] Dera Sacha Sauda's 400-bed multi-specialty hospital was inaugurated by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Sirsa in March 2014 and has been named Shah Satnam ji Speciality Hospital. [19][20]

Dera Sacha Sauda had launched a social welfare campaign and had filed a petition in the Supreme Court to grant legal status to transgender people. On 15 April 2014 the Apex Court gave a judgement in favour of the Eunuchs and ordered that the hijras and transgender people will now be given the legal status of the third gender.[21] This will make them eligible for quota in various government jobs, education institutions and also ensure medical treatment. [18][22] In support of the transgendered, Singh directed his followers to help the intersex children who join itinerant transgender communities.

References

  1. ↑ Largest Blood Donation. Guinness Book of World Records
  2. ↑ "Dera again makes it to Guinness Book of World Records Collects 43,732 units of blood in a day". The Tribune. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Rajalakshmi, T. K. (21 December 2002 – 3 January 2003). "Godman under a cloud". The Hindu (Chennai, India). Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "About the organisation". Sirsa, Haryana, India.
  5. ↑ {www.shahsatnamjigreenswelfareforcewing.org/about/}
  6. ↑ "Devastating fire breaks out in Darjeeling market". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
  7. ↑ "1,500 Dera Sacha Sauda volunteers earn praise for rescue efforts". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  8. ↑ "Heroes of Jalandhar who saved many lives". IBN Live. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  9. ↑ "DSS sends a team of AIMMS docs to Uttarakhand". Millenium Post.
  10. ↑ "Uttarakhand Relief Work by Dera". Deccan Chronicle.
  11. ↑ "DSS followers wed Uttarakhand widows, victims of the 2013 flash floods". Zee News.
  12. ↑ "Unbelievable Movement by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan against Prostitution".
  13. ↑ "Indian sect members vow to marry sex workers - Manchester News". Manchesterwired.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  14. ↑ {http://www.sikhnet.com/news/dera-sacha-sauda-members-vow-marry-sex-workers}
  15. ↑ http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5669357014191155860&SectionId=4635700988208141724&SectionName=Nation&NewsDate=20100124&NewsTitle=Dera%20Sacha%20Sauda%20members%20to%20marry%20sex%20workers
  16. ↑ "Dera Sacha Sauda sect organises mass marriage ceremony for sex workers". Asian News International. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
  17. ↑ {http://www.oceanofweb.com/news/prostitutes-wedding-successful.html}
  18. 1 2 "Welfare of Prostitutes and a eunuch (the hijras)".
  19. ↑ "Dera Sacha Sauda opens 400-bed multi-speciality hospital". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  20. ↑ "A boon for the Grassroots- Shah Satnam Ji Speciality Hospital". Sachi Shiksha. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  21. ↑ "SC acts on Dera Sacha Sauda petition for eunuchs, grants legal status". Sachi Shiksha. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  22. ↑ {http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/faith-and-rituals/supreme-court-recognizes-the-transgenders-eunuchs-as-the-third-gender-efforts-by-revered-guruji}

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