Punjab on boil again over removal of Sikh holy scripture from Ravidass temples

Soul_jyot · #1 (**permalink**) 08-Feb-2010, 21:48 PM

Punjab on boil again over removal of Sikh holy scripture from Ravidass temples

Punjab Newsline Network
Monday, 08 February 2010
By Satinder Bains

CHANDIGARH: The move by a section of Ravidass community to disintegrate from Sikh religion and set up aseparate religion 'Ravidas dharma' has created a social and caste conflict in Punjab.'

The members of Dera Sach Khand Ballan in Jalandhar district, brain behind separate religion has announced to replace Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, with Amritbani Satguru Ravidas Maharaj, a new granth prepared by them. Tthe Doaba region of Punjab has strong presence of Ravidass community, now vrtically divided on the issue.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/29167-punjab-boil-again-over-removal-sikh.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29167

The Sikh clergy and the leader of community have also criticised the attempts to separate Bani of Guru Ravidass from Guru Granth Sahib. Certain deras within the Ravidass sect have started opposing dera Ballan's move.

Punjab police has also rounded up certain Bahujan Samaj Party leaders who were allegedly trying to instigate one section and mobilising public support against replacement of Guru Granth Sahib. Three persons, including Ambedkar Sena (Mool Niwasi) state president Harbhajan Suman, Sena member Brajesh Kumar Gauri and local BSP leader Sukhwinder Tony, have been booked.

The move to declare Ravidass sect an independent religion is considetred the aftermath of killing of Sant Rama Nand head of dera Ballan in Viena (Austria) by Sikh youth. The Sikhs there had accused Ravidass temple management for showing disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib.

Followers at all the around 40 shrines of the Ravidassia sect in India used to pay obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib. Many Ravidas temples have also came up in other countries.

Police has suggested to the leaders of Ravidass community that they create parallel places of worship for the new scripture, instead of displacing Guru Granth Sahib, to avoid hurting Sikh sentiments.

Sant Surinder Dass head of Guru Ravidass dera Adda Kathar in Jalandhar, has opposed move of separate holy scripture for Ravidass community. He has told his followers to pay obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has said that state government would take every possible step to diffuse the situation and maintain peace and harmony. The government it is learnt is making secret parleys with Ravidass sect leaders to find a solution. It is feared that move of Ravidass community might have backlash in Sikh community, leading to conflict between two communities. Sikhs have been opposing removal of Guru Grnath Sahib from Ravidass shrines.