Grover, who holds various portfolios including urban local bodies, cooperation, printing and stationery, blamed the media for creating a sense of panic in the state.BJP MLA and Haryana minister Manish Grover. Credit: TwitterNew Delhi: A day after followers of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh went on a rampage, following his conviction, Haryana minister and Bharatiya Janata Party’s MLA from Rohtak, Manish Grover, said the violence was “natural” and it was an expression of their “natural anger”.Grover told the Indian Express, “When there is a crowd of 50,000-1 lakh and they have devotion towards Babaji, tab unmen ek natural gussa ata hai (they have a natural anger). Wo gussa aya (they got angry), it remained for an hour or two, but the government controlled that.”He went on to add that “this was natural”.Grover, who holds various portfolios including urban local bodies, cooperation, printing and stationery, blamed the media for creating a sense of panic in the state.“Ever since it emerged that Babaji’s date (of judgment) was August 25, it was a topic of discussion in the state media… whether Babaji would appear or not. An atmosphere had been created, through the media, across the country… The manner in which media was running this news for the last ten days, unke anuyaayion tak baat ja rahi thi – babaji pesh honge, babaji pesh honge, babaji pesh honge (his followers came to know – Babaji would appear).”Grover, who is also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had allegedly donated Rs 11 lakh to the DSS from government funds.The first-time MLA also went on to deny that the mob was heavily armed.He told the Indian Express, “Babaji came with a convoy on August 25, but we let only two vehicles enter… When he was termed guilty, the government immediately sent him to jail.” He added that when Singh’s followers “damaged government property” and “attacked mediapersons”, they ensured immediate action.“The followers are now in their homes,” he said.
