BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj openly defends rape convict ‘godman’

News Network

August 26, 2017

Lucknow, Aug 26: Hardline Hindutva leader and BJP Lok Sabha member Sakshi Maharaj has openly defended Dera Sachha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula in Haryana in a case of rape. Gurmeet is accused of raping sadhvis inside his 'gufa' (a customised underground chamber that was his personal residence).

Sakshi Maharaj, who was known for his provocative remarks, termed Ram Rahim a ''noble'' and a ''simple'' person, who commanded influence over millions of people.

''Crores of people consider Ram Rahim as their god while one person has complained of sexual exploitation...the feelings of crores of people should be listened to,'' he said while speaking to reporters at Unnao, his Lok Sabha constituency.

He said that the allegations against the Dera chief could also be ''driven by greed'' and ''prejudice''.''It is also possible that the allegations against Ram Rahim were actually aimed at showing the Indian culture in a bad light,'' Sakshi Maharaj said.

The BJP MP referred to the cases of Colonel Purohit, who was an accused in the Malegaon blast case and was recently granted bail by the supreme court, and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, also an accused in the same case, to buttress his contention.

"There seems to be a planned conspiracy to defame the seers and our culture,'' he alleged.

He said that the violence in Haryana and Punjab after Ram Rahim's conviction showed the kind of influence he wielded on the people. Earlier also Sakshi Maharaj put his party in a difficult situation by his remarks.

Comments

Court gives verdict on basis of witness nd evidence not on basis of how many supporters or followers some one has. It's difficult to understand sometimes people need punishment against rapist nd sometimes support de rapist.

This is BJP's MP. This main is alleging the judges and judgement. It is contempts of the court.

He should be punished under such acts.

BJP has all such MPs.

This is the crime of the public who elected him to rule the country for public services.

People should learn to about the person they elect to rule them.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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