BJP mum on Sakshi support to Dera Chief

Despite coming under heavy fire from the opposition, especially the Left parties and the BSP, for BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj's open support to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the BJP chose to maintain a stoic silence on Saturday.

Supporting the Dera chief after court's verdict, Maharaj on Friday had described him as a great soul.

"Can the Supreme Court or High Court call the Shahi Imam (head) of Jama Masjid in this manner? He is also wanted in many cases... Is he their relative? Ram Rahim is a simple man so he is being harassed," Maharaj said.

He even went on to allege that such cases against Godmen are part of a conspiracy to malign the Hindu culture.

When asked about Sakshi Maharaj's views, senior BJP leaders chose to skirt the issue saying it was not party's stand and only Sakshi Maharaj's view who is entitled to keep it.

But party sources said, the BJP high command is not happy with Sakshi Maharaj's comment and may even seek an explanation from him.

Coming heavily on Sakshi Maharaj Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said his words exposed the "inhuman face" of the Sangh Parivar.

In a Facebook post, he said, "The BJP leader's question of who was right whether crores of people who revered Ram Rahim as God or the woman who accused him of rape, was a 'challenge or cruel mockery' towards womanhood."

BSP chief Mayawati too lambasted Maharaj for coming out in support of rape convict Baba Ram Rahim and commenting against the court.

"From such disgusting comments against women one can understand how poisonous and narrow is the mentality of BJP leaders towards women," she said.