Rai Sikhs in Ferozepur rely on Dera, not Sikhism

Rai Sikhs in Ferozepur rely on Dera, not Sikhism

Tagged with: dera sacha sauda Ferozepur Ghubaiya Radha Soami SAD
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/24694-rai-sikhs-ferozepur-rely-dera-not.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Sher Singh Ghubaiya from this constituency is a baptised Sikh, but his two lakh Rai Sikh brethren rely on the deras and not Sikhism for uplift in the area known to be one of the most backward in Punjab.
In fact, deras, particularly the Beas-based Radha Soami, is behind the gradual
transformation of the Rai Sikhs, described as “those belonging to the lowest
castes” and “vagrants” by H Rose in his glossary “Tribes and Castes of Punjab
and North-West Frontier”.
The Rai Sikhs, settled mainly along the riverine tract, have transformed into a political force and are increasingly being known as hardy farmers and workers who will become more socially relevant after grant of Scheduled Caste status to one and a half years back.
The Radha Soami dera has brought about this change. A large section of the community, known for bootlegging, besides other social ills, has given up liquor and non-vegetarian food.
At least half of the Rai Sikh community is said to be Radha Soami followers. There are a few followers of Dera Sacha Sauda also.
Kashmir Singh of Lakha Singhwala Hittar village near Mamdot says while the Radha Soami sect has given them an identity, it is also of practical help.
“Liquor and meat are responsible for excess expenditure in the countryside, and if you remove these, almost anybody can live within ones means”. He says with liquor out, women are also happy and have become ardent dera followers.
“All my four sons and their families have taken ‘naam’ (religious initiation),” says
Lahora Singh of Mamdot Hittar village, showing proudly photos of the dera head
which adorn his house as well as others of the community like Puran Singh of the
same village.
For whom will the Rai Sikhs vote and will the dera have any role in this? Nambardar Ujjagar Singh says sect guru Gurinder Singh has clearly stated in latest ‘bhandara’ that the vote is ours and we have cast it we so wish.
He admits that the community has been voting for the Congress, mainly because it is against Jat Sikhs who control gurdwaras which primarily led them to the dera fold.
The community is also known to vote on caste lines and had voted for caste man Mohan Singh Phallianwala twice (1992 and 1996). In 1996 Phallianwala won as BSP candidate supported by the SAD.

The SAD is trying the same caste formula by giving Sher Singh party ticket hoping he will in supported by his community as well as by Akali Jat Sikhs. However, times are changing and such calculations may not work.

“A large chunk might still vote on caste lines, but social transformation has taught Rai Sikhs to rise above caste lines also,” says community elder Ujjaggar Singh.

 
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There is a strong tradition of "khaan bukray, peen sharabaan, puth Jattan de". (Trans: Eating goats, drinking alcohol are the activites of farmers sons).

Whats new here. All Alcohol and DRUGS are banned by Sikh Rehat Maryada and prohibited as undesirable "food" for the Body by Gurbani written 500 years ago in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

BUT then WHO talks about Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, SRM...??? NOBODY. Not even the SGPC..not the Takhats..Not the Jathedars...Not the Granthis..not the Gyanis..not the Ragis..Not the Sants..and certainly Not the Brahmgyanis...ALL of them have BETRAYED the TRUST....
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694

The SIKHS having been left "rudderless" in the open sea..then turn to these sacha saudas, radha soamis beas...and etc etc who plagirise Gurbani and offer it to their followers as OUR Brahmgyaan..OUR Naam..etc. The DERAS proliferate..Mainstream SIKHI loses members...
turns out that was the plan all along by the SGPC..takhats...etc etc..DRIVE AWAY SIKHS..ad if anyone is STUBBORN..then EXCOMMUNICATE HIM. That will surely drive him away for good...and they can then go on with their GO-LUCK looting ways...This is the THIRD time the MAHANTS have taken over...First round Guru Gobind Singh ji drove them out....Second Round the Singh Sabha Lehr and Akali Movement drove them OUT in the early 1920's...NOW a THIRD ROUND "DRIVE OUT" is sorely needed..then only can the SIKH RELIGION return to its well deserved....GLORY

Gyani ji

Do you think in some indirect way that changes have already taken place in the diaspora, and the values of Sikhs overseas will make their way back to India? The world is no longer a collection of isolated cultures and experiences. Long distance travel, technology, better communication may cause a shift in perspectives. I will say this. That a number of videos I watched of the Nirankari Mat -- Nirankari revised -- was kind of a weird experience. This movement also supports schools, clinics, safety nets, and a form of worship that is ambiguous enough to smooth over any obvious differences. But there are many shades of mind-control IMHO.

I think it will. Sikhs overseas, myself included, have had 1 great benefit in living overseas. No deras, and Sant mats. Not to say we don't have their proponents here, but he don't have their direct influence. Hopefully, we get a strong movement of true Sikhism overseas and actually influence Indian Sikhs. Thats sounds very odd. But it could very well come true.

Harpreet Singhji

The thought just hit me when I was reading through the thread... that it might happen. First India sows seeds of Sikhism throughout the world, and then the flowers bloom and make more seeds. The wind blows the new seeds back to the motherland, and things are refreshed. And it could be that the years of separation meant a greater need to focus more on the ShabadGuru. I am just guessing.. I really don't know. But I have many Internet friends in Canada, California, England, Australia -- places like that -- who are very serious about the ShabadGuru and have no desire to connect with deras, mats.

DEFINITELY and SURELY WILL.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694
Changes taking place in the Diaspora...will go back to the Motherland..slowly but surely...as the Economic situation improves..better education...and better opportunities..less avenue for deras and their superstitions, and mind control.
Beware that the Deras are also not sitting on their laurels... they too are into big time "cornering" the education segment..more and more Academies, schools, colleges..owned and operated by the DERAS..actively propagating their own MIND CONTROL on children...while the Common public education system si systemically destroyed by the power greedy self serving politicians who supprt the deras.
But alls not lost..TRUTH is the biggest asset we Have...Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji..the TRUTH..is what all these deras DONT HAVE !! Falsehood may win a day..a battle..BUT we can win the YEAR..the WAR.

Yes what they have missed out, is that they are allowed to smoke according to Radha Soami philosophy.

Entirely the fault of the SGPC, which does nothing for the common man.

These cults like Radhaoswami are more dangerous than the most addictive of drugs.

I'm going to be controversial here and say, from what I've seen these deras give the people something they don't get with mainstream Sikhi. I've seen people visit the sants for the "dhan" of a son. They arrange marriages. They get employment for people. Orgs like Radha Soamis also avoid any conflict and after all the events of 1984 and after, many Panjabi parents actively pushed their children into this more pacifist way.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694

It is an immediate fix. The dera sant answers all questions and people throw all things on his shoulder and think if I do what he says, all will be well.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=24694

Strange thing is I've seen weddings that were "blessed" turn horrifically sour. Parents having daughters after being made to give up meat and alcohol, for a son.

This mentality that leans on mystical, magic men is pervasive in the subcontinent. I think it will be a long time before it goes, if it ever does.

That being said deras often give followers a feeling of comraderie and they do actually support each other. The SGPC could learn a lot from this but never will, because they are in teh business of making money above all else.

Am I whining now?