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Eight reasons why only Ram Rahim should watch MSG

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Manjeet Sehgal
Manjeet SehgalJan 16, 2015 | 10:38

Eight reasons why only Ram Rahim should watch MSG

1.) Should have come clean on criminal charges: Before promoting himself as the "Messenger of God", the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim should have at least bothered to clear the criminal charges he faces. How can you even pose as someone who has a link with God when you face serious charges such as rape, murder and mass castration of followers?

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2.) The film will promote blind faith: MSG: Messenger of God shows Gurmeet Ram Rahim performing miracles to cure diseases. Sant Rampal from Haryana would pull the same tricks to fool his followers by selling miracle water to cure ailments. Look how it ended for him.

3.) The film is only meant for a niche audience: Gurmeet Ram Rahim is neither a mass religious leader nor a film actor. He may be popular with his own followers, whose number could be in lakhs, but it mostly certainly isn't among communities. The film will be watched by his followers alone who have booked tickets in advance to "help" the producers.

4.) Can lead to communal tension: The film, if released, can lead to communal tensions in Punjab and Haryana. Hardliner Sikh leaders besides the Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee have opposed the release of the film and have threatened state-wide protests.

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Ram Rahim beats up a goon in MSG: Messenger of God.

5.) The film will misguide people: Gurmeet Ram Rahim, according to the censor board members, is being portrayed as "God" in the film, though he claims to be a common man. The board members have also termed the film an "advertisement" to promote himself. The common man who believes in miracles will only think that the baba is innocent. Indian National Lok Dal leader Digvijay Chautala has said that the baba is creating panic by beating up the people in the film. Self promotion much?

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6.) Tax evasion: The Hakikat Entertainment Private Limited, according to the INLD findings, sold film tickets amounting to Rs 60 crore and evaded entertainment tax worth Rs 15 crore. How does that fare for a miracle?

7.) Donations misused for making the film: Gurmeet Ram Rahim is also accused of misusing donations received from the followers to make the film. INLD has said that the money pumped into MSG production was donated by the followers and Dera Sacha Sauda had taken rebate on the donations.

8.) Why was the sequel okayed? While the CBFC has not cleared the main film, Dera people are in a hurry to shoot the film's sequel. The Dera chief himself has said that more than 60 per cent of the sequel has already been shot. Gurmeet says that he made the film to help thalassemia patients. Why did he not just ask his followers to donate money directly instead of making a film?

Last updated: January 16, 2015 | 10:38
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