Rama Nand
| Sant Rama Nand Ji | |
|---|---|
| Religion | Ravidassia Religion |
| Other names | Hindi: संत रामानंद जी |
| Personal | |
| Born |
February 2, 1952 Alawalpur |
| Died | May 24, 2009 (aged 57) Rudolfsheim, Vienna, Austria |
| Senior posting | |
| Title | Sant Of Ravidassia Religion |
| Period in office | 1952-2009 |
| Religious career | |
| Post | Sant |
| Website | Guru Ravidass Ji Website |
Ramanand Ji was a leader of the Dera Sach Khand, a follower of Guru Ravidass. His name came to international attention when he was murdered at the age of 57 in a 24 May 2009 attack in the Guru Ravidass Temple in Rudolfsheim Vienna. The attack triggered rioting across much of Northern India. He was cremated with full state honors on 4 June 2009, in Ballan, India.
On Sunday, 24 May 2009, several people were attacked in Guru Ravidass temple in Rudolfsheim Vienna. Press reports indicate variously that there were 6 attackers, carrying knives and guns. Two of the victims were identified as visiting Dera Sach Khand head Niranjan Dass, 68, and another leader, Rama Nand, 57. Rama Nand suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died in hospital early on 25 May 2009. At least 15 others were injured, including 4 of the attackers, who were in the end subdued by the other worshipers.
An email reportedly received by Radio Akash in London, purportedly from the Khalistan Zindabad Force, claimed responsibility for the attack. The Austriantimes.at reported that a later email purported to be from the Khalistan Zindabad Force denied all involvement in this attack. The later email appeared to have a scanned copy of KZF’s letterhead and contained a date change in longhand. This cast doubt on its authenticity. Austriantimes.at also reported that the visiting leaders had been warned for some time of possible violence against them.
A 28 May 2009 Diepresse.com article reported that the identities of the 6 alleged Sikh attackers had been established. Five of the six had been questioned thoroughly, but the last, the alleged leader, was still too ill to interview, having been shot in the head. Of the six, all were males between 24 and 45 and from Punjab and other regions in northern India, two had entered the country illegally, and four had applied for asylum. It reported that Nirajnan Das was "on the road to recovery". Both the sixth alleged attacker and Nirajnan Das were reportedly under heavy guard at the hosptital.
An email received by The Tribune newspaper, purported to be from Ranjit Singh Jammu of the KZF, expressed sympathy for the "Ravidassia brotherhood" and denied any involvement.
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