It is often said there are two sides to every story, however as has been the norm with regards to the minority Sikh community, various Indian news agencies have fomented biased and one-sided depictions of the "Sacha Sauda" Sirsa Dera controversy. Ever since the onset of the controversy two weeks ago where the notorious cult leader Gurmit Ram Rahim--who has been charged with rape and sexual assault by several of his women followers--outraged the Sikh community worldwide when he mimicked the Sikhs’ revered 10th Guru and mocked the sacred and historic Amrit Sanchar ceremony of Vaisakhi 1699, Indian news agencies have attempted to demonise the Sikh minority by presenting them to be a violent and irrational community with unjustified grievances.

The Sikh community expressed their outrage against cult leader Gurmit Ram-Rahim by organizing protests in both East and West Punjab and throughout the South Asian subcontinent, Western Europe, and the Americas, demanding his arrest under section 295a of the Indian Penal Code - which deals with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings." The protestors included the young, the elderly, the rural farmers and the urban city dwellers. They were unanimous in their calls for the fake baba's arrest as they came out on to the streets in droves to express their indignation against the calculated blasphemy against their Guru. Numerous protestors emphasized that by mocking the Amrit Sanchar, Ram Rahim had malicioulsy attacked the religious sentiments of the Sikh community which is a criminal offense under the law which warrants his immediate arrest. The Sikh community also collectively implemented a worldwide boycott against the dera and demanded the closure of hundreds of cult centers run by the dera in the Sikh homeland of Punjab.

During the first round of protests in the Southern Punjab town of Bathinda, the Sikhs were savagely attacked by the cultists who were heavily armed in anticipation of the protestors. One young Sikh, Bhai Kanwaljit Singh of Sunam was murdered by a mob of cultists outside the city of Salabatpura when his group was attacked by Sirsa cult members who were returning after attacking a Sikh convention held at Damdama Sahib. Despite the pleas from his family and several Panthic leaders, no one has been arrested or even questioned for the murder of Bhai Kanwaljit Singh, nor has any investigation been launched by the Punjab Government or the local police.

The Indian media has grossly distorted the truth behind the above events and have presented an entirely one-sided view of the controversy by portraying the Sikhs as the villains. Indeed, the bulk of the Indian media's news reports have portrayed the Sikhs as irrational and uncontrollable, wild savages, thirsting for blood, while the cultists have been portrayed as "peace loving" practitioners of an "all-inclusive," new age faith. On one side, the Sikhs are being shown as a narrow minded reactionary group, whereas on the other side the cultists are shown as loving members of a fraternity whose aim in life is the service of humankind. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The prime culprits in this media disinformation campaign are the Alpha Punjabi TV network that is broadcasted across the globe to thousands of Punjabi households, Saharay Samay, and Zee TV. The Indian print press is no exception to this trend; here are just a few examples of the nauseating reports which have been published to demonize the Sikh minority:

Cult Leaders only offence : Dressed like Guru Gobind Singh:

While there is clear evidence that the cult leader Ram Raheem imitated and mocked every element of the Amrit Sanchar ceremony at Salabatpura, Indian news agencies have portrayed it as an unintentional act that was being taken out of context by 'Sikh hardliners.'

Daily News & Analysis 5/27/007)

"Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has issued an apology saying he is sorry for dressing like Guru Gobind Singh."

Tribune India Editorial (5/28/2007) :

"Chief of Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has sought forgiveness from Guru Gobind Singh for whatever disrespect he had caused to the 10th Guru of the Sikhs when he wore a controversial dress."

Sauda Cult : A Peace Loving Dera for the betterment of Humanity:

Express India (5/28/2007) :

"The Dera Sacha Sauda here organised its usual sangat followed by langar, namdan and meditation."

"We have a firm belief in peace and love and have already clarified our position on the ad controversy," a senior Dera official said.

"The people of Sirsa are peace-loving and we have got maximum cooperation from the Dera for maintenance of law and order…"

"Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh preached removal of social evils like dowry, adverse effects of drug and consumption of liquor and meat."

Sikhs are portrayed as Hyperactive Animals that need to be Leashed:

Tribune India Editorial (5/22/2007) :

The hardliners are definitely hyperactive at the ground level to give a nasty direction to the fight. They are the ones who would like to have the deras closed at any cost and would like to have provocative advertisements released to the Press. They need to be kept on the leash if the situation is not to go out of control."

Tribune India Editorial (5/28/2007):

"They do not have the interest of the common people in mind because they see the standoff as an opportunity to cash in on. They should be kept on the leash."

The Hindu (5/30/2007)

"Talibanisation of Sikhism"

"THE UGLY spectacle of sword-wielding mobs clashing with the followers of Saccha Sauda — seen by the clerical establishment as heretical — is a mockery of Sikhism on the auspicious occasion of Guru Gobind launching the first Khalsa, on March 30, 1699, at Anandpur Sahib."

Hindustan Times (5/31/2007):

"Radicals may exploit the situation: Analyst"

Indian Express (5/18/2007) :

"It’s no coincidence, therefore, that most of these leaders are in the forefront of the current protests. At Talwandi Sabo today, many of them were able to hijack the agenda from moderate Sikh leaders in their response to the provocative ad depicting the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh."

Times of India (5/23/2007) :

"From Lahore, Babbar Khalsa stokes Dera fire"

"They also said that Wadhawa (Singh) had worked on the radical Sikh priest whose Gurudwara near Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda was the catalyst for setting off the clash with the Dera over advertisements featuring its chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, attired as Guru Gobind Singh."

Who needs Akal Takht when the Indian Media can do the Sikh bidding?

Tribune India Editorial (5/28/2007):

"Apology, at last - Now, accept it with open arms"

"His unconditional apology to the Guru should, therefore, be seen in the right perspective and accepted by all the people concerned. It is significant that in doing so, the Dera chief abided by the ultimatum given by Akal Takht to apologise by May 27."