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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox organization
| image = Dera Sacha Sauda - logo - 01.jpg
| alt =
| caption = DSS logo
| logo =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| map =
| motto = Universal Brotherhood
| predecessor =
| successor =
| extinction =
| type = {{unbulleted list|[[Non-governmental organization|NGO]]|Non-profit social welfare and spiritual organisation}}
| status = Active
| purpose = {{hlist|[[Humanitarianism]]|[[activism]]|[[environmentalism]]|[[drug rehabilitation]]|[[secularism]]|[[vegetarianism]]}}<ref name="About - DSS">{{cite web|url=https://www.derasachasauda.org/about-dera-sacha-sauda/|title=About Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) – Social Welfare & Spiritual Organization|last=DSS|date=11 May 2013|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=August 2017}}
| headquarters = [[Sirsa]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| coords = {{coord|29.533593|75.017702}}
| language =
| leader_title = Successor
| leader_name = [[Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj]]
| leader_title2 = Current leader
| leader_name2 = [[Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh|Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan]]
| slogan = "Dhan Dhan Satguru Tera Hi Aasra"<ref name="About - DSS"/>
| name = Dera Sacha Sauda<br />
| size = 225px
| logo_size =
| msize =
| malt =
| mcaption =
| map2 =
| abbreviation = DSS
| established = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1948|04|29}}
| founder = [[Mastana Balochistani]]
| registration_id = 5234<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ngo.india.gov.in/state_ngolist_ngo.php?page=22&state_value=HR&records=|title=State-wise list of VOs/NGOs signed up on the NGO-PS - Haryana(1183)|date=12 August 2004|access-date=9 November 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| location =
| region_served = {{hlist|[[Asia-Pacific]]|[[Middle East]]|[[Northern Europe]]|[[North America]]<ref name="Rise & Spread of DSS"/>}}
| membership =
| sec_gen = Vipassana Insan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derasachasauda.org/patients-examined-largest-eye-screening-camp/|title=Thousands of Patients examined in the Largest Eye Screening Camp|date=12 December 2013|publisher=DSS|access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.derasachasauda.org}}
}}

'''Dera Sacha Sauda''' ("Camp True-Deal";<ref>{{cite book|first=Jacob|last=Copeman|title=Veins of Devotion: Blood Donation and Religious Experience in North India|url=https://archive.org/details/veinsofdevotionb0000cope|url-access=registration|year=2009|isbn=978-0813544496|quote="Dera"—the extended residential site of an influential figure—has similar connotations to "ashram," while "Sacha Sauda" means literally true deal or dealings, and is an allusion to the fact that monetary gifts from devotees are not accepted by the organization, which claims to be fully autarkic.}}</ref> colloquially '''DSS''') is an Indian [[non-governmental organization]] described as a "religious [[cult]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/why-religious-cults-such-as-dera-sacha-sauda-are-so-popular/story-wiITTZTJhgOE5sBffl9PUK.html|title=Why religious cults such as Dera Sacha Sauda are so popular|author=Guruswamy, Mohan|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=April 8, 2020|work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> and "non-profit social welfare [[dera (organization)|dera]]" that was established on 29 April 1948 by [[Mastana Balochistani]], an [[asceticism|ascetic]] follower of [[Baba Sawan Singh]] (the second [[Satguru]] of [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB)),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=5flCCwAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA50&dq=Dera+Jagmalwali&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVlZ-h3qDWAhXLzlQKHSt6CN0Q6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=Dera%20Jagmalwali&f=false Split i the Radha Soami Movement, The Sach Khand Journal of Radhasoami Studies, Dec 12, 2015, Issue 10, p.11]</ref> as a centre for religious learning. After Baba Sawan Singh, the movement split into four groups, one of them led by Mastana Balochistani. After the death of Mastana Balochistani, his movement was split into three groups, with Satnam Singh leading the Sirsa group, who selected Gurmeet Ram Rahim to be his successor. Dera Sacha Sauda's main centre is situated in the city of [[Sirsa]] in [[Haryana]] state, northern India.<ref>[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/search/Details/Largest-blood-donation/53108.htm Largest Blood Donation]. Guinness Book of World Records {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070157/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/search/Details/Largest-blood-donation/53108.htm |date=24 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101116/harplus.htm#4|title=Dera again makes it to Guinness Book of World Records Collects 43,732 units of blood in a day|date=15 November 2010|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref> The organisation has 46 [[ashram]]s (divisions) across India and other countries.<ref name="Rise & Spread of DSS">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/the-baba-on-song/|title=The Baba on song - Rise and spread of Dera Sacha Sauda|date=26 October 2014|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref>

Under the leadership of [[Mastana Balochistani]], 25 Ashrams were established in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, where Naam method of Meditation was taught to the followers who accepted three principles for the rest of their life: No consumption of meat, egg or gelatin, no consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco etc. and no adultery or illicit sex. He also laid the foundation of the main ashram in 1948 and coined the expression "Dhan Dhan Satguru Tera Hi Asra" (Blessed are you the true guru, you are my shelter) widely used by the Dera.<ref>[http://www.dabwalinews.com/2017/02/dera-sauda-supports-akalis.html धन-धन सतगुरु...की शर्त पर अकालियों को डेरे का समर्थन, 02 Feb 2017]</ref>{{clarify|reason=This is the English Wikipedia.|date=September 2017}} Shah Satnam Singh lead the Dera from 1963 to 1990.<ref>[https://www.derasachasauda.org/param-pita-shah-satnam-ji-maharaj/ The Life of His Holiness Shah Satnam Singh Ji Maharaj]</ref> He was succeeded by controversial [[Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh]] in 1990, who added more than a dozen ashrams and made Dera a much more visible organization.

The current leader, [[Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh]], who himself claims to have more than 60 million followers worldwide,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/25/fears-unrest-indian-guru-convicted-rape-ram-rahim-singh-panchkula|title=Ram Rahim Singh: fatal clashes follow Indian guru's rape conviction|date=25 August 2017|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> is a controversial figure in India and was accused of murder and convicted of rape.<ref name="bbc.com"/><ref name="hindustantimes.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/baba-bling-controversial-dera-chief-has-multi-faceted-persona-thrives-on-claims-controversies/story-MAQGI0c4oFJvWeE0lP6bQI.html|title=Baba Bling: Meet Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the Dera chief who thrives on controversies|date=25 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="news18.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/ram-rahim-singh-the-present-case-and-previous-brushes-with-courts-and-controversies-1500867.html|title=This Isn't Ram Rahim Singh's First Brush With Court And Controversy}}</ref> On 25 August 2017, a special CBI court in the city of [[Panchkula]], Haryana, found him guilty of raping two Dera [[sadhvi]]s (female followers).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dera-sacha-sauda-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-found-guilty-of-rape-cbi-court-ruling-comes-after-14-years/articleshow/60221119.cms|title=Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim found guilty of rape, CBI court ruling comes after 14 years}}</ref> Subsequently, the special CBI court sentenced Singh for a period of 20-year prison term on 28 August 2017.<ref name="sentenced">{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/rape-convict-gurmeet-ram-rahim-sentenced-to-10-years-in-jail/articleshow/60257535.cms|title=Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim sentenced to 20 years in jail}}</ref>

==History==
Dera Sacha Sauda was established in 1948 at [[Sirsa]] by [[Mastana Balochistani]]. He was born in Kalat, [[Balochistan]] in undivided India, now in [[Pakistan]] in 1891. He was popularly known among his devotees as His Holiness Beparawah Mastana Ji Maharaj. He died on 18 April 1960.<ref name=TKR>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1926/stories/20030103003404000.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126043302/http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1926/stories/20030103003404000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-26|title=Godman under a cloud|last=Rajalakshmi|first=T. K.|date=21 December 2002 – 3 January 2003|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=7 March 2011|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> [[Shah Satnam Singh]], born on 25 January 1919 took over the spiritual leadership position from Balochistani at the age of 41 and served until 1990. He died on 13 December 1991. [[Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh]] became the third master of DSS on 23 September 1990.<ref name="About - DSS"/>
DSS is a registered [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiamapped.com/ngo-in-haryana/sirsa/|title=List Of NGO In Sirsa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiamaps.in/ngo-of-haryana/sirsa/|title=List Of NGO of Sirsa|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195042/http://www.indiamaps.in/ngo-of-haryana/sirsa/|archive-date=8 November 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianngos.org/ngo_detail.aspx?nprof=5488241216|title=Dera Sacha Sauda NGO ID-5488241216}}</ref>

=== 2007 clashes with Khalsa Sikhs ===

In May 2007, violent clashes broke out between the [[Khalsa]] Sikhs and the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda over the Dera leader [[Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh]]'s appearance in a newspaper advertisement. The orthodox Sikhs alleged that he had impersonated their [[Guru Gobind Singh]], thus insulting their faith. At least one person died in these clashes; several more were injured. The news media described the violence as the most serious since the [[1978 Sikh–Nirankari clashes|Sikh–Nirankari clashes]] of the 1970s and the [[Punjab insurgency|separatist insurgency]] of the 1980s.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|pp=122-123}}

The [[Akal Takht]] of the Sikhs demanded closure of all the Deras in Punjab, and asked its followers to organise protest marches and ''[[bandh]]s''. Ultimately, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh issued an namesake apology. However, this apology was rejected by the Akal Takht. The marches and boycotts against the Dera continued, until the situation subsided after several weeks.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=123}}

=== Allegations by Dera defectors ===
In 2008, a DDS defector seeking refuge in [[Austria]] had sent a complaint to the [[Government of Austria|Austrian government]] regarding the wrongdoings of the Dera. However, the complaint was rejected.<ref>https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/JudikaturEntscheidung.wxe?Abfrage=AsylGH&Dokumentnummer=ASYLGHT_20100323_C7_318_887_1_2008_00</ref>

=== 2017 Conviction and subsequent riots ===
{{main|2017 Northern India riots}}
Its leader, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was accused of murder and convicted of rape by an Indian court.<ref name="bbc.com"/><ref name="hindustantimes.com1"/><ref name="news18.com"/> On 25 August 2017, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula, Haryana, found him guilty of sexually assaulting two Dera sadhvis (female followers), one of whom had written to the then prime minister of India [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] about it in 2002.<ref name="auto"/>

More than 150,000 followers of DSS had gathered at Panchkula, where the hearing was taking place, and a few other places. Upon learning of the court's verdict, they were involved in a mass riot which led to the death of at least 30 people and left more than 250 people seriously injured.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered all of DSS's properties to be [[Attachment (law)|attached]] to pay for the losses incurred due to the violence. A few incidents were reported in the Indian capital, New Delhi, which is {{convert|243|km}} away from the epicentre.

The incident led to widespread criticism of the ruling government, in that, despite the high court's repeated warnings, it failed to gauge the severity of the situation, and failed to enforce Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The latter prohibits an assembly of any more than four people, and was in effect at the time of the verdict.

Allegedly 400 followers of the sect have been castrated inside the sect’s headquarters to "bring them closer to god". One of the castrated men came forward and filed a complaint in court against the guru.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/rape-trial-castration-of-followers-dera-sacha-sauda-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-is-no-stranger-to-controversies/story-mFCdupu7ARxSIitBk4knkN.html|title=Rape trial, castration of followers: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is no stranger to controversies|date=23 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="bbc.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41043233|title=Guru Ram Rahim Singh rape verdict draws crowds|date=25 August 2017|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-indian-guru-mass-castrations|title=India's 'guru of bling' accused of tricking 400 followers into cutting off their testicles to meet God|date=3 March 2015}}</ref> According to India's [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI), the sect defended castrations as done to "safeguard female followers from possible sexual advances".<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/>

On 4 September 2017, after receiving a 2-day notice from police to surrender weapons, DSS members turned in 67 firearms, almost half of which were licensed. Police confiscated 33 of the weapons.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-dera-sacha-sauda-sirsa-campus-raided-by-police-huge-weapons-cache-found-pics-go-viral/840576/ | title=Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa campus raided by police, huge weapons cache found; pics go viral| date=2017-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://zeenews.india.com/haryana/huge-cache-of-arms-recovered-from-dera-sacha-sauda-headquarters-in-sirsa-2039357.html | title=Huge cache of arms recovered from Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa| date=2017-09-04}}</ref>

== Teachings ==

The Dera's teachings emphasise the recitation of sacred words and the achievement of transcendence. The devotees are asked to practice alcohol abstinence, vegetarianism, marital fidelity, and truth. They are also asked to abstain from ritualism and from making monetary religious donations (see [[#Funding|Funding]]).{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=114}}

During the ''[[satsang]]'' gatherings, the Guru of the Dera sits beneath Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian symbols organised in a way that depicts him as the union of these religions.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=113}}

== Membership ==

All the Dera Sacha Sauda Gurus have come from [[Sikh]] backgrounds, and the organisation has several Sikh adherents. However, the vast majority of its supporters are working-class and middle-class Hindus from the rural areas of Haryana and Rajasthan.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=114}}

In 2009, the Dera Sacha Sauda claimed to have over a million devotees. It had 38 ''ashram''s, most of them in northern India.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=114}}

== Funding ==

The word "Dera" is similar connotations to "[[ashram]]", while the word "Sacha Sauda" means "true deal" - a reference to the claim that the organisation does not accept monetary gifts from its devotees. The Dera Sacha Sauda claims to be [[autarkic]]: it owns extensive lands in Haryana and other states; and operates a supermarket, a petrol pump, a biscuit factory, a restaurant, and a boating lake. These businesses, managed by its "sadhus," are said to be for the benefit of its devotees.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=113}}

==Political activities==

Dera Sacha Sauda is the only among the various ''Dera''s, which openly asks its supporters to vote for particular political parties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/55736977.cms|title=Dera chiefs play gurus to tallest of politicians|first=Nidhi|last=Sharma|date=2 December 2016|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> The previous [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] government enjoyed the organisation's support and it reciprocated by providing a [[Security categories in India|Z-plus security cover]] for the group's leader.<ref name="hindustantimes.com1"/> Singh's son is married to the daughter of the Congress leader Harminder Singh Jassi. The DSS supported Congress in the [[2007 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|2007 Punjab state elections]], and helped the party take control of the [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa]] region.<ref name="IE_clout_2012"/> However, the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] won the overall majority in the state, and allegedly persecuted the Dera supporters during the [[#2007 clashes with Khalsa Sikhs|2007 violence]]. When the Congress did not come out in the open support of DSS, the DSS decided not to endorse a single party in the [[2009 Indian general election|2009 parliamentary elections]]. Instead, it supported particular candidates from both Akali Dal and Congress.{{sfn|Ashutosh Kumar|2014|p=342}}

Before the [[2012 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|2012 Punjab state elections]], the Congress leader [[Amarinder Singh]], his wife [[Preneet Kaur]] and his son [[Raninder Singh]] visited Singh, asking him to extend his support to Congress.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-29/news/30675955_1_dera-followers-dera-sacha-sauda-baba-gurmeet-ram-rahim | work=The Times Of India | title=Poll-bound Punjab awaits Dera Sacha Sauda diktat on voting | date=29 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-dera-sacha-sauda-the-key-to-power-in-punjab/20120128.htm |title=Dera Sacha Sauda: The key to power in Punjab — Rediff.com News |publisher=Rediff|date=28 January 2012 |access-date=2012-04-25}}</ref> However, Dera's support to Congress alienated the party's Sikh [[vote bank]]. In the 2012 elections, Congress performed poorly, and Jassi lost the election. The poor performance of Congress in Malwa in 2012 was seen as a signal of the downfall of Dera's political power.<ref name="IE_clout_2012">{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/amid-depleting-clout-dera-chief-s-kin-loses/921158/ |title=Amid depleting clout, dera chief's kin loses |author=Navjeevan Gopal |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=7 March 2012 }}</ref>

In 2014 Haryana polls and Lok Sabha Polls, Bharatiya Janata Party requested support from Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dera-sacha-sauda-haryana-assembly-polls-bjp-baba-ram-rahim/1/395553.html|title=Haryana polls: Dera Sacha Sauda's political wing to support BJP}}</ref> In February 2015, the organisation openly supported BJP in Delhi elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/dera-sacha-sauda-pledges-support-for-bjp-in-delhi-polls-737126|title=BJP's New Friend: Dera Sacha Sauda, the Sect Led by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh|author=Anand Kumar Patel|date=5 February 2015|work=NDTV.com|access-date=25 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/delhi-assembly-polls-2015-dera-sacha-sauda-extends-support-to-bjp_1541688.html|title=Delhi Assembly polls 2015: Dera Sacha Sauda extends support to BJP|work=Zee News|access-date=25 September 2015|date=2015-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Former-Punjab-top-cop-alleges-Dera-Sacha-Sauda-controversy-was-conspired-by-SAD-govt/articleshow/34112490.cms| title = Former Punjab top cop alleges Dera Sacha Sauda controversy was conspired by SAD govt | publisher = Times of India | access-date=2014-05-05}}</ref> The organisation supported BJP in the Bihar assembly election in 2015, and nearly 3,000 Dera followers campaigned for BJP in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-11-03/news/67987192_1_godman-bihar-elections-saffron-party|title=Messengers of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh rooting for BJP|work=timesofindia-economictimes|access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref>

==Welfare activities==


Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh formed a welfare and disaster relief organisation called Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Welfare Force, which now has more than 70,000 doctors, engineers, rescuers, paramedics, and tradesmen participating.{{primary source inline|date=August 2017}} The organisation has rendered aid during many of India's natural disasters like [[Kolkata]] fire<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/Devastating-fire-breaks-out-in-Darjeeling-market/Article1-843339.aspx |title=Devastating fire breaks out in Darjeeling market |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=2012-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422230736/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/Devastating-fire-breaks-out-in-Darjeeling-market/Article1-843339.aspx |archive-date=22 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the factory collapse in [[Jalandhar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Jalandhar/1-500-Dera-Sacha-Sauda-volunteers-earn-praise-for-rescue-efforts/SP-Article1-842107.aspx |title=1,500 Dera Sacha Sauda volunteers earn praise for rescue efforts |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=2012-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420225736/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Jalandhar/1-500-Dera-Sacha-Sauda-volunteers-earn-praise-for-rescue-efforts/SP-Article1-842107.aspx |archive-date=20 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/heroes-of-jalandhar-who-saved-many-lives/251818-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425212059/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/heroes-of-jalandhar-who-saved-many-lives/251818-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-04-25 |title=Heroes of Jalandhar who saved many lives |publisher=IBN Live |access-date=2012-04-26}}</ref>

During the [[2013 North India floods|2013 flash floods]] in [[Uttarakhand]], a team of volunteers and doctors provided medical care to people, distributed food packets and conducted rescue missions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/346498/medics039-mite-flood-hit-uttarakhand.html | title=DSS sends a team of AIMMS docs to Uttarakhand|publisher=Millennium Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130720/news-current-affairs/article/rains-stall-relief-ops-kedarnath-debris-removal-ukhand| title=Uttarakhand Relief Work by Dera| publisher=Deccan Chronicle| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924052845/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130720/news-current-affairs/article/rains-stall-relief-ops-kedarnath-debris-removal-ukhand| archive-date=24 September 2016| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The area of Deoli-Brahmgram village which was called a 'village of widows' after the floods are still facing issues of hardship, the life of widows at a standstill.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/uttarakhand-floods-two-years-on-life-in-village-of-widows-at-standstill-115061601127_1.html|title=Uttarakhand floods: Two years on, life in 'Village of Widows' at standstill|last=IANS|date=2015-06-16|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>

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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKJRer6UFNA |title=Unbelievable Movement by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan against Prostitution}}</ref> 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 consent for marriage with adult sex workers and to "help them escape their dreary existence".<ref name="DSS wed sex workers">{{cite web |url=http://www.manchesterwired.co.uk/news.php/4941-Indian-sect-members-vow-to-marry-sex-workers |title=Indian sect members vow to marry sex workers - Manchester News |publisher=Manchesterwired.co.uk |access-date=2011-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424020517/http://www.manchesterwired.co.uk/news.php/4941-Indian-sect-members-vow-to-marry-sex-workers |archive-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2010, a mass marriage ceremony for former sex workers took place in [[Sirsa, Haryana|Sirsa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5669357014191155860&SectionId=4635700988208141724&SectionName=Nation&NewsDate=20100124&NewsTitle=Dera%20Sacha%20Sauda%20members%20to%20marry%20sex%20workers|title=Dera Sacha Sauda members to marry sex workers - Sakal Times|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dera+Sacha+Sauda+sect+organises+mass+marriage+ceremony+for+sex...-a0217491886| title = Dera Sacha Sauda sect organises mass marriage ceremony for sex workers | publisher = Asian News International | access-date=2010-01-26}}</ref>

Dera Sacha Sauda's 400-bed multi-specialty hospital was inaugurated by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in [[Sirsa, Haryana|Sirsa]] in March 2014 and was named Shah Satnam ji Speciality Hospital.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana/dera-sacha-sauda-opens-400-bed-multi-speciality-hospital/article1-1201572.aspx | title = Dera Sacha Sauda opens 400-bed multi-speciality hospital | publisher = Hindustan Times | access-date = 2014-03-28 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140329031440/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana/dera-sacha-sauda-opens-400-bed-multi-speciality-hospital/article1-1201572.aspx | archive-date = 29 March 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sachishiksha.in/boon-grassroots-shah-satnam-ji-speciality-hospital| title = A boon for the Grassroots- Shah Satnam Ji Speciality Hospital | publisher = Sachi Shiksha | access-date=2014-04-30| date = 2014-04-30 }}</ref>

Dera Sacha Sauda had launched a social welfare campaign and had filed a petition in the [[Supreme court|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sachishiksha.in/sc-acts-dera-sacha-sauda-petition-eunuchs-grants-legal-status| title = SC acts on Dera Sacha Sauda petition for eunuchs, grants legal status | publisher = Sachi Shiksha | access-date=2014-04-28| date = 2014-04-28 }}</ref>

DSS also initiated a series of sanitation drives and as of 2016, about 30 Mega Cleanliness Campaigns have been conducted in several states of India and also in other countries.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-02/jaipur/30349854_1_sanitation-drive-dera-sacha-sauda-pawan-insan | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708155647/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-02/jaipur/30349854_1_sanitation-drive-dera-sacha-sauda-pawan-insan | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 July 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Mass cleanliness drive by Dera sect in Jaipur | date=2 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/raj-min-dera-chief-joins-cleanliness-drive-116100300041_1.html|title=Raj min, Dera chief joins cleanliness drive|agency=Press Trust of India|date=3 October 2016|access-date=10 November 2016|via=Business Standard|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vasundhara-raje-gurmeet-ram-rahim-msg-tax-free-rajasthan-punjab-elections/1/782235.html|title=Punjab election move? BJPs Vasundhara Raje makes Gurmeet Ram Rahims MSG- The Warrior tax-free in Rajasthan|access-date=10 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-days-after-swachh-results-khattar-takes-part-in-sirsa-dera-head-s-cleanliness-drive-in-karnal/story-HDaEw6zXo2PPtecH3kw8zM.html|title=Two days after Swachh results, Khattar takes part in Sirsa dera head's cleanliness drive in Karnal |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=3 June 2017|date=2017-05-06 }}</ref>

=== Blood donation camps ===

Like several other religious groups in India, the Dera Sacha Sauda has organised large-scale blood donation camps. In December 2003, a camp held on the death anniversary of its former guru attracted 15,432 donors. In October 2004, the Dera broke its own record during the mortuary ceremony of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's father. This time it attracted 17,921 donors, and collected 12,002,450 ml units of blood in a single day. This was recognised by the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the largest ever amount of blood collected on a single day.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|pp=105-106}}

The official publication of Dera Sacha Sauda claims that the world record was created by "sheer chance", thus denying the suggestions that it was a show-off for media attention and the glorification of their guru. However, in 2003, the Dera had sent an e-mail to the ''Guinness Book'' compilers, seeking clarifications on the conditions that needed to be met to break the previous record. During the donation exercise, the Dera had meticulously collected proofs needed to qualify for the world record. After creating the record, several Dera devotees also stated that their aim was to create the record.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|pp=108-109}}

Doctors have criticised the "ostentatious" mass blood donation camps organised by Dera Sacha Sauda as wasteful.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=111,115}} According to the director of the Shiv Shakti blood bank in Sirsa, most of the blood collected in Dera's camps gets wasted. Moreover, the devotees don't respond to the blood bank's requests for blood donations at other times, when there is need for blood donation.{{sfn|Jacob Copeman|2009|p=120}}

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|author=Ashutosh Kumar|year=2014|title=Deras as sites of electoral mobilisation in Indian Punjab: examining the reasons that political parties flock to the deras|journal=Asian Ethnicity|volume=15|issue=3|pages=335–350|doi=10.1080/14631369.2013.878209|s2cid=145595169}}
* {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/veinsofdevotionb0000cope|url-access=registration|title=Veins of Devotion: Blood Donation and Religious Experience in North India|author=Jacob Copeman|publisher=Rutgers University Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8135-4449-6}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dera Sacha Sauda}}
{{Wikisource|Category:Dera Sacha Sauda}}
* {{Official website|http://www.derasachasauda.org}}
* [http://www.saintgurmeetramrahimsinghjiinsan.org/ SaintGurmeetRamRahimSinghJiInsan.org]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dera Sacha Sauda| ]]
[[Category:Sirsa, Haryana]]
[[Category:New religious movements]]
[[Category:Religious organisations based in India]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1948]]
[[Category:Religious controversies]]

Dera Sacha Sauda - Revision history

Svetlltn: Updated formatting and improved readability

>SpinnerLaserzthe2nd at 22:40, 16 June 2021