Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government is considering a ban Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh from entering the state for one year, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said. Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, was speaking at a function in Solapur.

The proposal to ban the entry of the Dera chief, who is at loggerheads with the Sikh clergy for dressing like Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, entry into the state follows the firing by the Dera chief's guards at Sikh protestors killing a man in suburban Mulund last week. Following the incident, thousands of Sikhs hit the streets of Mulund for two days brandishing swords and shouting slogans against the Baba demanding his arrest.

There is apprehension that the Dera chief may try to disrupt an event at Nanded to mark the 300th death anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. The 'gur-ta-gaddi' celebrations marking the turning of Sikh holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib as the last Guru start at Nanded in October and the event is expected to draw around 25 lakh Sikhs from all over the world.

Patil did not specify when the ban will come into force but said that before making any such move he would discuss the implications of the issue with senior leaders and bureaucrats. A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal recently met Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, seeking stern action against the Dera chief.