Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda who was convicted of rape recently by a CBI court, would make his followers sign pledges to “quit homosexuality”. The Dera Sacha Sauda website also calls homosexuality as a “problem” and “disorder”.
The pledge form, available on its website reads: “Under the guidance of Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Dera Sacha Saud (Sirsa) Haryana, I hereby undertake to give up homosexual behaviour. I have understood that it is not sanctioned by religion, morality or spirituality. I have understood that in light of newer viral diseases, there is strong scientific rationale against this unnatual behaviour. This decision of mine is with my free consent and own will and without any undue influence or any kind of pressure or any kind of physical or mental pressure or coercion by any person or organisation upon me or my family or upon anybody which affects me.”
A 2013 blog titled Awakening the Society says, “It is sad that efforts are being made to legitimize this problem in the country. Dera Sacha Sauda has only compassion and affection for those afflicted with this problem.” The site claims that homosexuality is a treatable psychosexual disease which can be helped with meditation. “A holistic treatment program incorporating Ayurvedic treatment with Meditation and Yoga has been put in place to treat this fixation,” it claims.