Biography

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan (born 15 August 1967), known also as MSG, is the head of the Indian social group Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) since 1990. He is a religious leader, social worker, actor, singer, writer, songwriter, director, and composer. In addition to a 2017 rape conviction, he was also convicted of being involved in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

The Indian Express had placed Ram Rahim 96th in their list of the 100 most powerful Indians of 2015. He has released several music albums and films, which typically revolve around himself and his teachings. Many of these are based on social issues and promotion of God's worship. Singh has also held about a hundred concerts called ‘Ruhani Ru-ba-Ru Nights’. In his films, he is usually credited for various other roles, in one instance being credited in more than forty departments. His films were negatively received by critics, with many considering them propaganda and criticising their poor quality, although the production house claimed that several of them had grossed ₹1 billion.On 25 August 2017, Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court. His conviction led to widespread violence from members of the DSS and simultaneous clashes with the police, which left several dead and injured. On 28 August 2017, Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In January 2019, he and three others were convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. In October 2021, a special CBI court in Panchkula held Singh and four others guilty of the murder of Ranjit Singh, a former dera manager. He is also facing prosecution for ordering forced castrations.The name MSG is thought to be derived either from the initials of the three DSS heads, Shah Mastana, Shah Satnam, and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, or as an abbreviation for "Messenger of God".