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The recent sentencing of Bajinder Singh, the self-proclaimed Christian preacher and head of the Church of Glory and Wisdom in Jalandhar, to life imprisonment for a 2018 rape case has sent shockwaves through religious and legal circles in India. The verdict, delivered by additional district and sessions judge Vikrant Kumar in Mohali, marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle following accusations of sexual assault by a woman from Zirakpur. The case underscores the complexities of faith, power, and accountability, raising critical questions about the potential for abuse within religious institutions and the challenges victims face in seeking justice. The conviction of Singh under IPC sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) reflects the severity of the charges and the court's determination of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Following the sentencing, Singh was immediately taken into custody and transferred to Patiala Jail, signifying the tangible consequences of his actions and the commencement of his life sentence. While the court acquitted five co-accused due to a lack of evidence, the case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for complicity and the importance of thorough investigations in ensuring that all parties involved in criminal activities are held accountable. The events surrounding the sentencing highlight the deep divisions within Singh's following. Despite the conviction, many of his supporters gathered outside the court complex, although police prevented them from entering, demonstrating the enduring loyalty of some adherents and the challenges authorities face in maintaining order during sensitive legal proceedings. Singh's background adds further layers of complexity to the case. Born into a Hindu Jatt family, he had a controversial past, including involvement in a murder case in the 2000s that led to his incarceration. It was during his time in jail that he converted to Christianity, a pivotal moment that set the stage for his subsequent rise as a preacher. This transformation raises questions about the motivations behind his religious conversion and the authenticity of his spiritual calling, issues that have likely been debated extensively by both his supporters and detractors. Over the years, Singh built a significant following on social media, with his sermons frequently appearing on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. His ability to leverage digital platforms to disseminate his message and connect with a wider audience underscores the power of social media in shaping religious narratives and attracting new followers. His influence extended beyond religious circles, earning him endorsements from celebrities like Chunky Pandey and Aditya Pancholi, a testament to his ability to cultivate relationships with influential figures and leverage their platforms to enhance his own credibility. This celebrity endorsement highlights the blurred lines between religious authority and popular culture, raising concerns about the potential for misuse of influence and the responsibility of public figures in endorsing religious leaders.
The rape case against Singh dates back to 2017, when the complainant alleged that she first met him at a roadside eatery. This initial encounter marked the beginning of a relationship that would ultimately lead to allegations of sexual assault and exploitation. Over time, Singh convinced her to attend his prayer meetings, gained personal details about her, and manipulated her into following his instructions, illustrating the gradual erosion of her autonomy and the insidious nature of grooming behavior. According to the FIR, the complainant and her family had been attending Singh’s congregation since 2017. In 2020, she joined his worship team, allowing him to become familiar with her. She alleged that he took her phone number and started sending inappropriate messages. Fearing him, she refrained from informing her parents, highlighting the victim's vulnerability and the psychological manipulation employed by Singh. The complainant's fear and reluctance to report the abuse further underscores the power dynamics at play and the challenges victims face in speaking out against influential figures within their communities. In 2022, she claimed that Singh began making her sit alone in his cabin on Sundays, where he would forcibly hug her and touch her inappropriately. She further accused him of persistently pressuring her to marry him, despite being already married. These allegations paint a disturbing picture of escalating abuse and persistent harassment, demonstrating Singh's disregard for the complainant's boundaries and his willingness to exploit his position of power. The complainant's testimony provides a compelling account of the psychological and emotional toll of the abuse, highlighting the long-term impact of such experiences on victims' lives. "He started chasing me in his car when I would go to college and threatened to have my parents and brother killed if I refused," she alleged. The harassment allegedly caused her severe distress, leading to panic attacks, illustrating the devastating consequences of Singh's actions on the complainant's mental health and well-being. The threat to the complainant's family adds a further layer of coercion and intimidation, highlighting the lengths to which Singh was willing to go to maintain control and silence his victim. The article vividly describes the victim's fear, anxiety, and emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of providing support and resources to survivors of sexual assault.
Two days after the FIR was registered against him, Singh publicly denied the accusations, claiming that a fellow pastor, envious of his influence, had conspired against him. This denial reflects a common tactic employed by accused individuals in positions of power, attributing the allegations to personal vendettas or conspiracies rather than taking responsibility for their actions. Addressing his congregation, Singh alleged that the complainant had been suffering from "evil spirit-induced fits" and had been brought to him for healing. This statement attempts to deflect blame by portraying the complainant as vulnerable and in need of his assistance, reinforcing his image as a benevolent healer and minimizing the severity of the allegations against him. He also claimed that she had disputes with a volunteer and that he was being unfairly implicated in the matter. These claims further attempt to discredit the complainant and undermine the credibility of her accusations. "Even more people have turned up today, and that shows you don't believe whatever is being said about me," he told his followers, insisting there was no concrete proof against him. This statement appeals to the loyalty of his followers and reinforces his claim of innocence, despite the mounting evidence against him. The presence of a large crowd of supporters is used as evidence of his popularity and the lack of credibility of the allegations. In an emotional appeal, Singh brought his three children—two daughters and a son—on stage, stating, "I also have small kids. All this is being done not just to harm me but to stop Jesus’s work." This tactic seeks to evoke sympathy and compassion from his followers by highlighting the potential impact of the accusations on his family and his ministry. His children addressed the congregation, asserting that the accusations against their father were false and that "God will take care of everything," further reinforcing the narrative of innocence and divine intervention. The use of children to defend their father is a particularly manipulative tactic that seeks to emotionally sway the audience and undermine the complainant's credibility. Singh has not been without controversy in the past. In 2018, the Diocese of Jalandhar officially severed ties with the Church of Glory and Wisdom, distancing itself from him. Despite this, he continued to build his congregation and expand his online presence, gaining a loyal following. The Diocese of Jalandhar's decision to sever ties with Singh suggests that there were prior concerns about his conduct and the potential for abuse within his ministry. His ability to continue building his congregation and expanding his online presence despite these controversies highlights the challenges of holding religious leaders accountable and the power of charismatic leadership in attracting followers. The case of Bajinder Singh serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for abuse within religious institutions and the importance of holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions. It also underscores the challenges victims face in seeking justice and the need for greater awareness and support for survivors of sexual assault.
Source: From conversions to conviction: Who is Pastor Bajinder Singh?