Die Enzyklopädie Political Systems and Parties von 2006 beschreibt die Shiv Sena-Partei folgendermaßen:

„Founded in the 1960s as an anti-immigrant movement centered in Bombay, the Shiv Sena fostered the building of Maratha pride and demanded that Maharashtrans be given preferences in jobs in the city. The movement expanded its influence in several urban areas outside Bombay in the 1970s and 1980s and increasingly took on a more antiminority, Hindu nationalist color. The Shiv Sena became more prominent in the 1990s as a result of its strong support of the Ayodhya issue and its alliance with the BJP at the state and federal level. The party won 15 seats in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections and supported the short-lived BJP government. In 1998 the party won only six Lok Sabha seats, but in 2004 it won 12 seats. The Shiv Sena also governs the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the BJP. The party combines religious militancy with regionalism and is led by its founder, Bal Thackeray, a onetime cartoonist.” (Schlager, Neil/Weisblatt, Jayne, 2006, S. 600)

Die englischsprachige indische Tageszeitung Times of India berichtet im April 2011 über Drohungen der Shiv Sena-Partei gegenüber einem Model:

„Case of obscenity and a threat from Shiv Sena was enough to send model Poonam Pandey to go into hiding. She swore to strip in the locker room for the boys, if they picked up the world cup, but now she has gone missing. Poonam did not expect the backlash from conservative parties for her bold publicity plan.“ (Times of India, 6. April 2011)

Im März 2011 veröffentlicht die Times of India einen Artikel, der die Meinung des Anführers der Shiv Sena-Partei bezüglich der Einladung des pakistanischen Präsidenten und des pakistanischen Premierminister zum Halbfinale der Cricket-Meisterschaften zwischen den beiden Ländern im indischen Mohali wiedergibt:

„Inviting Pakistan President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani for the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final at Mohali is an insult to those who died in the 26/11 attacks on the city, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said on Monday. In a scathing editorial in the party's mouthpiece, Saamna, Thackeray remarked caustically that the Indian Prime Minister should now send two tickets for the match to Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab as a gesture of peace. Ridiculing the claim by some that Gilani's and Zardari's presence at Mohali would strengthen the Indo-Pak peace process, the Sena chief, who is the editor of Saamna, said such gestures in the past have proved futile.“ (Times of India, 29. März 2011)

Ebenfalls im März 2011 berichtet die Times of India über abfällige Äußerungen des Anführers der Shiv Sena-Partei über Sonia Gandhi, die Präsidentin der Kongress-Partei:

„Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's interview in the party's mouthpiece Saamna created a furore in the legislative council on Monday. Congress legislators objected to the language used to describe Sonia Gandhi. MLC Hussain Dalwai termed the language ‘defamatory’ and the remarks ‘below the belt’. Demanding that the state government file a court case against Saamna in the matter, Dalwai asked for the resignation of Sena MLCs. He justified the demand by saying that their leader had expressed lack of faith in the democratic and judicial set-up.

Manikrao Thakre, president of Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee, supported the view. Shiv Sena and BJP MLCs rose in protest as he stood up to speak on the issue. Council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh instructed the state home department to look into the issue.

In a Q&A with Saamna on Monday, Thackeray called Congress president Sonia Gandhi a ‘worthless’ leader and said the Congress had vitiated the political climate by perpetuating dynastic rule in the country. ‘Sonia Gandhi has nothing commendable to her credit as leader. But, see how important she has become... This is because of the sycophants in the Congress who worship her,’' he said.

Stating that there can be no comparison between Indira Gandhi and her daughter-in-law, Thackeray said, ‘Indira Gandhi grew up in the company of titans. She was trained in politics and she had her zamana (best times).’

The Sena chief did not even spare the courts. He said the court's verdict on the lesbian issue was ‘ridiculous’. ‘The government takes every matter to court... Courts have been accused of corruption and political interference,’ he said.“ (Times of India, 22 März 2011)

Im Februar 2011 berichtet die Times of India über Warnungen der Shiv Sena-Partei an die indische Filmindustrie wegen des Engagierens pakistanischer Schauspieler:

„The Shiv Sena has warned the Indian film industry against hiring Pakistani artistes, saying it will teach a lesson to those who do so, leading filmamker Mahesh Bhatt said Sunday.

Maharashtra Cinema Television Sena (MCTS), a frontal organisation of sthe Shiv Sena, has threatened those using the services of Pakistani artists, he said, adding he received the letter Saturday and it was addressed to all production houses, organisers, event managers and media houses.“ (Times of India, 21. Februar 2011)

Der pakistanische Nachrichtensender Geo News TV Karachi berichtet im Februar 2011 über Drohungen der Shiv Sena-Partei gegen pakistanische Cricket-Spieler:

„The extremist Indian party, Shiv Sena, has once again threatened Pakistani cricketers few hours before the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi while talking to reporters here on Thursday [17 February] said, ‘Bal Thackeray will decide whether to allow Pakistan team to play or not’. This is the latest expression of extremism by the Shiv Sena leaders as Joshi clearly put question mark on the staging of ICC World Cup final match if Pakistan would qualify for it. ‘You all know Sena chief Bal Thackeray's views. If the Pakistan team reaches the final, whether to allow them to play, the Sena chief will decide,’ Joshi told reporters.” (Geo News TV Karachi, 17. Februar 2011)

Das Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) berichtet im Februar 2011 in seinem Jahresüberblick zum Stand der Pressefreiheit im Jahr 2010 über einen Angriff von Mitgliedern der Shiv Sena-Partei auf einen Fernsehsender:

„Also on July 16, in an apparently unrelated attack, members of the far-right nationalist party Shiv Sena ransacked the studio of TV channel Zee 24 Taas in Kolhapur, western Maharashtra state. The attack, which injured five, came during the middle of a live broadcast on a border dispute with the neighboring state of Karnataka, news reports said. Eleven assailants surrendered to police the following day and were released on bail.“ (CPJ, 15. Februar 2011)

Im Februar 2010 berichtet CPJ in seinem Jahresüberblick zum Stand der Pressefreiheit im Jahr 2009 über Angriffe von Mitgliedern der Shiv Sena-Partei auf 2 Fernsehsender:

„Members of the Hindu nationalist political party Shiv Sena attacked two IBN TV network channels in Maharashtra state on November 20, according to local and international news reports. The groups, armed with iron rods and baseball bats, smashed windows and furniture in the offices of Marathi-language IBN Lokmat in Mumbai, and vans belonging to Hindi-language IBN7 in the nearby city of Pune, saying the channels had been ‘too critical’ of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. Several journalists and staff sustained minor injuries and two were hospitalized, news reports said. Police made seven arrests in Mumbai and eight in Pune but were looking for at least 15 other suspects, according to the reports. Shiv Sena denied planning the assault but did not condemn it, the reports said.“ (CPJ, 16. Februar 2010)

Im Februar 2010 berichtet die BBC über Proteste, unter anderem von Mitgliedern der Shiv Sena-Partei, gegen den Schauspieler Shah Rukh Khan, der sich zu pakistanischen Cricket-Spielern geäußert hatte:

„Police in India have arrested more than 1,100 people following protests against a Bollywood film.

They were prompted by comments from its star, Shah Rukh Khan, regretting that no Pakistan cricketers were picked for next month's IPL cricket tournament. Hindu hardline party Shiv Sena reacted angrily, vowing to disrupt screenings of My Name is Khan, due out on Friday. Two small cinemas were attacked in Mumbai (Bombay) and posters burned, prompting police to tighten security. […]

In the film, Khan plays a Muslim with Asperger's syndrome whose life in the US changes after the 11 September attacks. Shiv Sena, a regional party which backs the cause of local Hindus in Maharashtra state, has pledged to continue its protests.“ (BBC, 10. Februar 2010)

Das US Department of State (USDOS) berichtet in seinem im Oktober 2009 veröffentlichten Jahresbericht zur Religionsfreiheit in Jahr 2009 über Äußerungen des Anführers der Shiv Sena-Partei, Selbstmordkommandos zu bilden, und über Verurteilungen von Mitgliedern der Shiv Sena-Partei wegen des Schürens von Gewalt in den Jahren 1992 und 1993:

„During the reporting period, the government of Maharashtra took no action on regional Shiv Sena party chief Bal Thackeray for his June 2008 remarks advocating creation of ‘Hindu suicide squads’ to fight ‘Islamic terrorism.’” (USDOS, 26. Oktober 2009, Section 2, Restrictions on Religious Freedom)

„On July 9, 2008, a magistrate court convicted and sentenced to one year in jail a senior Shiv Sena leader and two others for inciting violence in the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai. The men were convicted of ‘promoting enmity between different religious groups.’ In December 1992 the senior politician had led a mob of more than 5,000 persons to a temple where provocative speeches were made. In June 2008 a Mumbai court acquitted 12 persons accused in the 1992-93 communal riot cases.“ (USDOS, 26. Oktober 2009, Section 2, Abuses of Religious Freedom)

Die indische Tageszeitung Indian Express veröffentlicht im Dezember 2008 einen Artikel über Forderungen der Shiv Sena-Partei, den einzigen überlebenden Attentäter der Anschläge auf Mumbai öffentlich zu hängen:

„The Shiv Sena has demanded that the lone surviving 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab be publicly hanged in front of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal (CST) railway station without a trial.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna, which is edited by Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the party said since the entire world had watched the carnage by the terrorists in Mumbai, there was no need for an inquiry, examining evidence or giving Kasab an opportunity to defend himself.

Demanding that Kasab be hanged publicly in front of the CST, where he and his accomplice killed innocent people, the editorial said, ‘The punishment will not be adequate even if he is hanged a hundred times.’

The Sena has justified the wrath of Shiv Sainiks unleashed on two lawyers — Ashok Sarogi and Mahesh Deshmukh — for volunteering to defend Kasab on grounds that the crime was unpardonable and that, ‘it is a shame on the country that some betray our soil by daring to take up the brief (of Kasab)’.“ (Indian Express, 18. Dezember 2008)

Die britische Tageszeitung The Times berichtet im Februar 2010 über die Gründung einer neuen Religionsgemeinschaft, der Ravi Dasi (hier in der Schreibtweise „Ravidassia“):

„India has never been short of religions: although 80 per cent Hindu, it also incorporates Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism and Zoroastrianism as well as hundreds of lesser known faiths.

Now it has another. The establishment of Ravidassia in the northern city of Varanasi last weekend — the latest addition — is sending shockwaves across the world’s 23 million-strong Sikh community. Ravidassia was founded by a radical Sikh sect called Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which consists mainly of ‘Untouchables’, or Dalits, who come at the bottom of India’s complex and still pervasive caste hierarchy.

It claims its own pilgrimage site to rival the Sikhs’ Golden Temple in Amritsar, its own book to replace the Sikhs’ Guru Granth Sahib, and its own symbol, known as the Har (which it translates as Almighty).

‘We aim to respect all religions, love mankind and live a virtuous life,’ C. R. Suman, a Radivassia spokesman, told The Times. He added that the religion had hundreds of thousands of devotees, with followers across the diaspora, including in Britain. Ravidassia already has temples in Southall, Coventry and Toronto, as well as several web sites and Facebook pages.

The split from Sikhism seems to be a reaction to the killing of Guru Sant Rama Nand, the sect’s deputy leader, by fundamentalist Sikhs in a gunfight at a temple in Vienna last year, which caused rioting across Punjab.

Sikhs do not officially believe in the caste system, which has its origins in Hinduism, and divides society into hundreds of groups that define where one lives, who one marries and what job one does. […]

Dera Sachkhand Ballan claims to represent lower castes who felt that they were still suffering discrimination, especially at the hands of Jat Sikhs, who have traditionally owned most of the farmland in Punjab.

It differs from mainstream Sikhism on several religious issues, including worshipping living gurus, which is considered blasphemous by most Sikhs. It also focuses predominantly on the teachings of Guru Ravidass, who was born in Varanasi in the 14th century and taught that people should be judged according to their merits, rather than their caste or social status.

‘Our objective is to propagate the writing and teachings of Sant Guru Ravidass and other gurus who belonged to suppressed classes,’ said Mr Suman.” (The Times, 4. Februar 2010)

Die Internetzeitung Punjab Newsline veröffentlicht im Januar 2010 einen Artikel über die Abspaltung der Ravi Dasi von den Sikhs:

„Taking a leaf out of Sikh religion, the followers of Bhagat Ravidass have declared 'Ravidassia', a separate religion and affirmed Guru Ravidass their sole master. They have also released a separate religious granth 'Amrit Bani Guru Ravidass' which will replace Guru Granth Sahib in all Ravidass temples. The Ravidass followers made this announcement in Ravidass temple in Kashi in Banaras district of Uttar Pardesh which would serve as highest temporal seat for the community. The community as sought recognition of Ravidassia's a separate community.

The new holy granth which contains the 'Bani' of only Bhagat Ravidass (included in Guru Granmth Sahib) was released by Sant Niranjan Dass head of dera Sach Khand Ballan in Jalandhar district. The Balla dera had come to lime light when last year few Sikh miscreants attacked on Ravidass temple in Viana in Austria and dera preacher Swami Rama Nand of Balla dera was killed. The Sikhs had objected that due respect was not given to Guru Grnath Sahib in the Ravidass temple. Certain sections of Ravidass community were opposing to domination of Sikhs over them and were trying to establish separate identity for their community. […]

The declaration of separate religion by Ravidassia is bound to have its impact on Sikh politics particularly in context of Punjab. It is considered a major set back for the Shiromani Gurdawara parbahandak Committee (SGPC) supreme Sikh body which was trying to keep Ravidassia community in the Sikh fold. The critics of SGPC blamed it on SGPC for their failure to give due respect to Ravidassia community. Meanwhile, Sandeep Singh national general secretary of youth wing of SAD (Panch Pardhani) on Sunday said that agents of Hindu forces in the Ravidass community have taken such decision to disintegrate followers of Guru Ravidass from Sikh religion. He said that there is no place for communalism and casteism in Sikh religion. He warned of consequences of such steps which would be harmful for the dalits. He hoped that the awakened dalits of Punjab would not fall prey to motives of people working against their interests.” (Punjab Newsline, 31 Januar 2010)

Im März 2010 berichtet die Times of India über Zusammenstöße zwischen Mitgliedern der Ravi Dasi und Mitgliedern einer anderen Religionsgemeinschaft wegen eines alten Schreins:

„A violent scuffle took place between the members of two communities in the neighbouring village of Noorwala allegedly over an old shrine. The village panchayat has denied that there was any division on caste lines, adding a few persons were trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the place.

Noorwala used to have a common gurdwara in an old building. However, a new structure was raised after which the old building was locked up and the place was reportedly supposed to house the 'panchayat ghar'. […]

On Sunday morning, members of the Ravidassia community allegedly brought a copy of Guru Granth Sahib to the new shrine for celebrating 'sangrand', the first day of the month according to Bikrami/Nanakshahi calendar. However, members of Jatt community, led by the sarpanch and other panchayat members, allegedly opposed the move and a scuffle took place between the two sides. Nearly half-a-dozen persons sustained injuries in the fight.

Police officials immediately rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control. Later, heavy deployment of police was made in the village to prevent any further escalation in tension. Even though people from the neighbouring villages started converging in Noorwala, cops remained there to avoid any further clash.” (Times of India, 14. März 2010)

Der österreichische Radiosender Österreich 1 (Ö1) berichtet im Juni 2009 Folgendes über die Ravi Dasi (hier: Ravidasi):

„Sikhs und Ravidasis

In der Presse war häufig von ‚Sikh-Tempel‘ als Ort des Anschlags zu lesen. Doch die Ravidasis sind gerade dabei, sich von den Sikhs abzuspalten. Sie verehren in erster Linie den mittelalterlichen indischen Mystiker Ravidas. Von Ravidas sind 41 Hymnen im Guru Granth Sahib, dem heiligen Buch der Sikhs, überliefert. Er gehörte der Chamar-Kaste der Gerber und Schuster an, die am untersten Ende der Kastenhierarchie steht, da sie die als unrein betrachtete Haut toter Tiere verarbeiteten. Chamars mussten am Dorfrand leben, besaßen kein eigenes Land und durften den Dorf-Brunnen nicht benützen. Ihre Berührung galt als rituell verunreinigend. Seit der Unabhängigkeit Indiens ist die ‚Unberührbarkeit‘ offiziell abgeschafft. Die ehemaligen ‚Unberührbaren‘ nennen sich heute ‚Dalit‘. Das bedeutet soviel wie ‚Zerbrochener‘.

Kastensystem auch bei den Sikhs

Obwohl der Sikh Gründer Guru Nanak, der im 15. Jahrhundert lebte, das hinduistische Kastensystem abgelehnt hat, achten viele der höherkastigen Sikhs bei der Suche nach Heiratspartnern und -partnerinnen für ihr Kinder immer noch auf die Kastenzugehörigkeit.

Dalits bauen eigene religiöse Zentren

Die Land besitzenden sogenannten Jat-Sikhs haben die Dalits Jahrhunderte lang unterdrückt und ausgebeutet. Doch seit den 1970er und 80er Jahren beginnen die Dalits, sich verstärkt gesellschaftlich zu behaupten und auf Veränderungen zu drängen. Auch im religiösen Bereich suchen die Dalits nach einer neuen Identität. Während die Dalits lange die Sikh-Tempel besuchten, haben sie im Laufe der letzten Jahrzehnte zahlreiche eigene religiöse Zentren gebaut, in welchen Ravidas besondere Verehrung zuteil wird. Der Sitz der beiden nach Wien gereisten Gurus, Dera Sachkhand Ballan, ist das einflussreichste Zentrum der Ravidasi-Gemeinschaft. Einen guten Teil seiner Einkünfte verdankt es den vielen Anhängern und Anhängerinnen im Ausland.

Ehemalige Eliten verlieren ihre Macht

Tendenziell hat sich die ökonomische Situation der einst dominanten Jat-Sikhs verschlechtert. Viele Familien haben drei oder vier Söhne, die sich das Land teilen müssen. Das heißt, schon nach wenigen Generationen treten große Schwierigkeiten auf, die stark gestiegenen Ansprüche an den Lebensstandard durch die Landwirtschaft zu befriedigen. Die Situation vieler Ravidasis hingegen hat sich verbessert. Die Stadt Jalandhar, in deren Nähe das Zentrum der zwei nach Wien gereisten Gurus liegt, und wo auch die Ausschreitungen nach dem Anschlag in Wien stattgefunden haben, hat sich zum Zentrum einer einträglichen Lederwarenindustrie entwickelt. Von dort werden zum Beispiel Schuhe nach Österreich exportiert.

Viele Spenden für die Dalit-Tempel und Sozialprogramme

Dass sich nun die Dalits auch im religiösen Bereich emanzipieren, bedroht die Vormachtstellung der traditionellen Eliten, erklärt der Religionswissenschaftler Lothar Handrich: ‚Die Ravidasis erhalten in den letzten Jahren großen Zulauf und auch viele Spenden, da sie Krankenhäuser und Schulen für die Ärmsten einrichten. Dadurch fühlen sich die etablierten Sikhs bedroht, denn es geht um viel Geld.‘ Das Attentat in Wien hat das Bedürfnis nach Abgrenzung noch verstärkt. In Österreich überlegen die Ravidasis nun, die Anerkennung als eigenständige Religionsgemeinschaft zu beantragen.“ (Ö1, 23. Juni 2009)

Im Mai 2009 berichtet die Times of India über die Problematik des Kastenwesens und den damit zusammenhängenden Anschlag auf ein Gebetshaus der Ravi Dasi in Wien im Mai 2009:

„Caste fingerprints on the sensational Vienna shootout among Sikhs could result in renewed international pressure for recognition of caste-based discrimination as a global concern, with many hinting at a revived clamour for treating casteism as racism. […]

The intra-Sikh violence is reported to be a perennial point of conflict as Ravidasi Sikhs have floated their own gurudwaras, attracting hostility from upper caste Sikhs. The hotbed is Europe, Canada and UK. The problem could be serious in future owing to sheer numbers. An estimate puts Sikh population in UK between four to five lakh, of which one-third are said to be dalits. Sources said caste was getting recognition as an issue outside India. There is a strong demand from sections of dalit diaspora in UK, Canada and US that governments enact laws to deal with caste-related crimes as with race-related crimes. These are countries with huge Indian-origin population, including Sikhs. In UK, Caste Watch has been formed to detail cases of caste-related crimes.” (Times of India, 26 Mai 2009)

Die österreichische Tageszeitung Die Presse berichtet im Mai 2009 Folgendes über den Anschlag auf ein Gebetshaus der Ravi Dasi in Wien im Mai 2009 und die Hintergründe:

„Bei der Schießerei in einem Sikh-Gebetshaus in Wien-Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus war am Sonntag der Anführer einer hauptsächlich von Dalits (Unberührbaren) getragenen Glaubensrichtung, Sant Niranjan Dass, schwer verletzt worden. Der ihn begleitende Prediger Sant Rama Nand (Anand) erlag in der Nacht auf Montag seinen schweren Verletzungen. Urheber des Blutbads waren offenbar orthodoxe Sikhs, die mit den religiösen Ansichten der beiden Prediger und der Sikh-Glaubensströmung ‚Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha‘ nicht einverstanden waren. Sie kämpft gegen das auch bei den Sikhs unterschwellig immer noch verbreitete Kastensystem und nimmt es mit den fünf ‚K‘-Regeln, die alle männlichen Sikhs beherzigen sollen (darunter das Tragen eines Turbans und eines Krummsäbels), nicht so genau.“ (Die Presse, 26. Mai 2009)

Die BBC veröffentlicht im Mai 2009 einen Artikel, der von Unruhen in Punjab nach dem Anschlag auf ein Gebetshaus der Ravi Dasi in Wien im Mai 2009 handelt:

„Riots have broken out across the Indian state of Punjab after a preacher from an Indian sect was killed by a rival Sikh group in Austria. Within hours of the incident in Vienna, thousands of Sikhs took to the streets, clashing with police and setting fire to buildings, vehicles and a train. At least two men were killed when the security forces opened fire on crowds near the city of Jalandhar, police say. The army has marched through the city, where a curfew is in force. However thousands of protesters carrying swords, steel rods and sticks defied the curfew on Monday. […]

The disturbances were triggered by the death of preacher Sant Rama Nand during a religious ceremony in Vienna on Sunday. He was attacked by six men armed with knives and a pistol and succumbed to his wounds in hospital early on Monday. Another preacher, Sant Nirajnan Dass, who was among 15 other people injured, is said to be stable. Both the preachers were from a breakaway sect which has a large following in parts of Punjab and had travelled to Vienna to conduct a special service. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Delhi, says several Sikh groups had apparently opposed his presence and threatened violence.“ (BBC, 25. Mai 2009)

Die Presse berichtet im Mai 2009 Folgendes über die Hintergründe des Anschlags auf ein Gebetshaus der Ravi Dasi in Wien im Mai 2009:

„Eigentlich hätte man erwartet, dass sich ein Terrorakt wie dieser in London oder Indien ereignet. Immerhin besteht der Konflikt zwischen der Ravi-Dasi-Sekte (einer Sikh-Gruppe, die Anhänger der niederen Kasten, vor allem der ‚Unberührbaren‘ anzieht) und orthodoxen Sikhs weltweit. Bei dem Streit geht es neben religiösen Differenzen, wie ob lebende Gurus verehrt werden dürfen, vor allem um soziale. Denn auch wenn die Sikhs das Kastenwesen ablehnen, spielt es wie in jeder indischen Religion eine Rolle. Warum die Situation ausgerechnet in Wien eskalierte, hat zwei Gründe. Erstens: In der indischen Community leben überproportional viele Sikhs. Denn in den Achtzigern, als viele Sikhs aus dem Punjab fliehen mussten, konnte man in Österreich über die Ausnahmeregelung für Zeitungskolporteure relativ einfach Arbeit finden.

Zweitens: Die Ravi-Dasi-Sekte, in deren Tempel geschossen wurde, ist in Österreich sehr aktiv. Nicht jede Sikh-Gruppe hat einen Tempel oder lädt Gurus ein – wie jene, die vorgestern getötet bzw. schwer verletzt worden sind.“ (Die Presse, 25. Mai 2009)

Weitere Informationen zur Entstehung und Entwicklung der Ravi Dasi finden Sie in folgendem Artikel der Zeitschrift Economic and Political Weeky vom Juni 2009:

·      Economic and Political Weekly: The Ravi Dasis of Punjab: Global Contours of Caste and Religious Strife, 13. Juni 2009

Punjab Newsline: berichtet im März 2011 über Zusammenstöße zwischen Anhängern der Dera Sacha Sauda und den Anhängern einer radikalen Sikh-Gruppe:

„There was heavy police presence in this Punjab town and the nearby Dhauleke village Tuesday, a day after clashes between followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and a radical Sikh group left over a dozen people injured. Followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, which has its headquarter in Haryana's Sirsa town, are demanding action against members of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, a radical Sikh organisation, for allegedly disrupting their religious function at Dhauleke village Sunday. They also accuse the group of burning the effigy of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Members of both groups clashed at Dhauleke village Monday, injuring over a dozen people and some policemen. Agitators also set a Punjab roadways bus on fire and damaged some private vehicles in Moga, around 250 km from the state capital Chandigarh. The situation is still tense as hundreds of members of both groups are camping at Dhauleke village.“ (Punjab Newsline, 8. März 2011)

Die Times of India veröffentlicht im März 2011 einen Artikel, der eine Versammlung der Dera Sacha Sauda und Proteste anderer Sikh-Gruppen dagegen thematisiert:

„In the wake of approaching assembly elections in the state, the 'reported understanding' between SAD and Dera Sacha Sauda helped the followers of the latter successfully hold a naam charcha (congregation) in the community centre of Bajidpur village, near the historical Jamni Sahib Gurdwara, here, on Sunday.

The congregation, attended by more than 1,000 premis, was organized under a heavy police protection. When members of various Sikh organizations learned about it, they, including women, reached Bajidpur village and tried to disturb the congregation, but were checked by senior police officers. The Sikh protesters then blocked Ferozepur-Moga GT Road to mark their protest against it. They reportedly also thrashed some premis and damaged a few vehicles which were taking the Dera followers to the congregation venue. Some premis reportedly received minor injuries during the scuffle, but timely intervention of police force contained the situation.“ (Times of India, 7. März 2011)

Im Februar 2001 berichtet die Times of India über die Ansichten und Vorstellungen der Dera Sacha Sauda:

„Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan here on Sunday got his followers to take a pledge to follow single-child norm.

The controversial spiritual guru-cum social reformer said as per Hindu religious beliefs the concept of ‘Ardh Narishawar’ means that the husband and wife are not two entities but one. As a consequence, they should have only one child, he said. The guru who, apart from facing criminal cases, landed in a controversy with hardline Sikhs for what Sikhs believe he was trying to imitate Guru Gobind Singh by wearing a dress like the Sikh master, repeatedly referred to common Indian spiritual and religious heritage quoting from all Hindu scriptures, the Koran, the Bible and Sikh holy books to drive home his social messages.

Meanwhile, later talking to media, he said the Dera never supported any party. ‘It will do the same even now and Dera followers are free to vote for anybody they want,’ he said. He revealed that now addiction has become so shocking that certain products are mixing with municipal waste to intoxicate people. The guru devoted a good part of his preaching against addiction. He urged his disciples to shun drug-addiction, follow celibacy before marriage apart from having only vegetarian food.“ (Times of India, 21. Februar 2011)

Im Januar 2001 berichtet die indische Tageszeitung The Hindu über Zusammenstöße zwischen Anhängern der Dera Sacha Sauda und Anhängern einer anderen religiösen Vereinigung, nachdem deren Anführer harsche Worte über die Dera Sacha Sauda geäußert habe:

„Curfew was clamped in Bhikhi town in Punjab's Mansa district on Sunday following clashes between two religious factions, a day after a Sikh preacher allegedly uttered some harsh words against the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief, police said. ‘Curfew has been clamped in Bhikhi to maintain law and order,’ SSP (Mansa) Hardyal Singh Mann said. The Dera followers had charged Sikh preacher Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal of uttering some harsh words against Sirsa-based Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh at a congregation on Saturday, he said. Supporters of Daduwal and Dera chief clashed on Sunday at Bhikhi, damaging around six vehicles, Mr. Mann said.“ (The Hindu, 3. Januar 2011)

Das USDOS berichtet in seinem Jahresbericht zur Religionsfreiheit in Jahr 2008 über den Tod eines Sikh, der nach seinem Protest gegen der Anführer der Dera Sacha Sauda getötet worden sei, was wiederum Proteste anderer Sikhs hervorgerufen habe:

„On June 20, 2008, a Sikh was killed while protesting against Ram Rahim Singh, head of the Dera Sacha Sauda (a breakaway Sikh faction). Police arrested the bodyguards who had killed the Sikh. Riots by 1,500 members of Mumbai's Sikh community followed the next day to demand the arrest of Ram Rahim Singh. The rioters shut down parts of Mumbai's northern suburbs through various coercive methods, including brandishing swords. The tension died down in Mumbai after the victim's funeral. The two Sikh communities have a history of conflict between them.“ (USDOS, 19. September 2008, Section 3)

Die BBC berichtet im Mai 2007 über Proteste von Sikhs, die der Dera Sacha Sauda vorgeworfen hätten, den Sikhismus zu beleidigen:

„Thousands of Sikhs, many armed, have been staging protests, some violent, against a religious sect. They accuse the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) sect of insulting Sikhism. Tensions began when the DSS leader appeared in an advert in which Sikhs said he was dressed as the last Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.“ (BBC, 17. Mai 2007)

 

·      BBC: Shah Rukh Khan cricket row: More than 1,100 arrested, 10. Februar 2010

·      CPJ - Committee to Protect Journalists: Attacks on the Press 2010, 15. Februar 2011

·      CPJ - Committee to Protect Journalists: Attacks on the Press 2009, 16. Februar 2010

·      Geo News TV Karachi: Indian Hindu nationalist party "threatens" Pakistani team on cricket final, 17. Februar 2011 (zitiert nach BBC Monitoring)

·      Indian Express: Sena demands public hanging of Kasab, 18. Dezember 2008

·      Schlager, Neil/Weisblatt, Jayne (Eds.): World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties, Fourth Edition, Volume II (Haiti to Norway): Shiv Sena, New York: 2006

·      Times of India: Sena threatens Poonam Pandey, 6. April 2011

·      Times of India: Zardari invite an insult: Sena, 29. März 2011

·      Times of India: Cong blasts Sena for 'below the belt' remarks on Sonia, 22. März 2011

·      Times of India: Sena warning against hiring Pak artistes: Bhatt, 21. Februar 2011

·      USDOS - US Department of State: International Religious Freedom Report 2009 - India, 26. Oktober 2009

·      BBC: Punjab riots after Vienna killing, 25. Mai 2009

·      Die Presse: Sikh-Unruhen in Punjab: 1 Milliarde Euro Schaden, 26. Mai 2009

·      Die Presse: Sikh-Anschlag: Warum gerade Wien?, 25. Mai 2009

·      Osterreich 1: "Wir wollen hier nur in Frieden leben". Religionszwist mit sozialen Hintergründen, 23. Juni 2009

·      Punjab Newsline: Ravidass followers declare separate religion, released separate religious granth, 31. Januar 2010

·      The Times: Ravidassia sect sends shockwaves across world’s Sikh community, 4. Februar 2010

·      Times of India: Groups clash over shrine site, 14. März 2010

·      Times of India: Vienna clash may put caste in global spotlight, 26. Mai 2009

·      BBC News: Tensions over Sikh protests, 17. Mai 2007

·      Punjab Newsline: Punjab town tense after Sikh group-Dera followers clash, 8. März 2011

·      The Hindu: Curfew clamped in Punjab town, 3. Januar 2011

·      Times of India: Followers hold congregation amid protest, 7. März 2011

·      Times of India: Dera followers vow to have single child, 21. Februar 2011

·      USDOS - US Department of State: International Religious Freedom Report 2008, 19. September 2008