Ravidassia shrines shift out Guru Granth Sahib Saroops
WSN Bureau
Now, followers of Bhagat Ravidass, who call themselves Ravidassias, are shifting out the Guru Granth Sahib from their shrines, thus making a permanent departure from the world’s fifth largest and youngest religion. In shrine after shrine, the Ravidassia sect authorities are either shifting the scriptures out or are telling the local Sikhs to take away the holy volume.
In a most peculiar reaction, and one that may possibly not go down too well with the proud Sikh community, the SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar is flitting from one leader to another to convince them that they should not shift out the Sikh scriptures.
In the absence of any debate within the Sikh community (Most Sikhs, in fact, are shocked at the reaction of the Ravidassia sect), and with Makkar’s efforts largely propelled by an intention to save his boss Prakash Singh Badal from any unsavoury controversy, he does not seem to be succeeding.
But even as such behind the scenes bids to patch the rift for some time continue, Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were shifted out from six Ravidass temples in Italy.
In Vienna too, the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib have been shifted out by the Ravidassia sect from Sri Guru ravidass Sabha, Vienna shrine. Bhai Narinder Singh of the Vienna gurdwara received the Saroops and despite the provocative step, he said in his Ardaas that those believing in the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and of the Bhagats must not let negativity rule their thoughts and lives. He even thanked those who had come to the gurdwara to hand over the birs. Hundreds of Sikhs were present when the Saroops were handed over.
Interestingly, and ironically, the SGPC president despite his best efforts failed to even set up a meeting with Dera Sachkhand Ballan and Sri Guru Ravidass Sadhu Sampardai President Nirmal Dass. Makkar visited the dera in Ballan and also Nirmal Dass’ dera in village Rasoolpur last Thursday and efforts have been made ever since to speak to the dera head. But so far only dera incharge Surinder Dass Bawa talked to him on the issue.
Significantly, Dera Ballan had made a clear departure from the tradition during the Antim Ardaas of Sant Ramanand, deputy head of the dera who was killed in a Vienna temple on May 24, by not organizing any Akhand Path and not having Prakash of Guru Granth Sahib in the religious function held on June 13.
Sikhs consider it surprising that even within the Ravidassia sect, little debate has taken place about their relations with the Sikh community and one wonders if the leaders have thought the implications of distancing themselves from a heritage earned over centuries, that too belonging to a community that accords great respect to Bhagat Ravidass ji.
The latest move seems to be a peculiar way of identity assertion by the Adharmi community.
15 July 2009
WSN Bureau

Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib
being shifted in Vienna
For centuries, Bhagat Ravidass’ bani was preserved and celebrated because the Sikh Gurus included it in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. For centuries, Sikhs everywhere in the world have been bowing their heads before the scriptures that contain this bani of Bhagat Ravidass. For any Sikh, the Gurbani has the status of the Guru, and Sikhs seek guidance from this Living Guru.being shifted in Vienna
Now, followers of Bhagat Ravidass, who call themselves Ravidassias, are shifting out the Guru Granth Sahib from their shrines, thus making a permanent departure from the world’s fifth largest and youngest religion. In shrine after shrine, the Ravidassia sect authorities are either shifting the scriptures out or are telling the local Sikhs to take away the holy volume.
In a most peculiar reaction, and one that may possibly not go down too well with the proud Sikh community, the SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar is flitting from one leader to another to convince them that they should not shift out the Sikh scriptures.
In the absence of any debate within the Sikh community (Most Sikhs, in fact, are shocked at the reaction of the Ravidassia sect), and with Makkar’s efforts largely propelled by an intention to save his boss Prakash Singh Badal from any unsavoury controversy, he does not seem to be succeeding.
But even as such behind the scenes bids to patch the rift for some time continue, Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were shifted out from six Ravidass temples in Italy.
In Vienna too, the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib have been shifted out by the Ravidassia sect from Sri Guru ravidass Sabha, Vienna shrine. Bhai Narinder Singh of the Vienna gurdwara received the Saroops and despite the provocative step, he said in his Ardaas that those believing in the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and of the Bhagats must not let negativity rule their thoughts and lives. He even thanked those who had come to the gurdwara to hand over the birs. Hundreds of Sikhs were present when the Saroops were handed over.

Prakash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal paying obeisance before the portrait of the slain leader of the Ravidasias.
The trigger for the rift was the shooting incident in Vienna where a group of Sikhs attacked the leaders of the Sachkhand Ballan Ravidassia sect who encouraged followers to touch their feet in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, a practice considered anathema by the Sikhs. The incident was followed by widespread violence in Punjab.
Interestingly, and ironically, the SGPC president despite his best efforts failed to even set up a meeting with Dera Sachkhand Ballan and Sri Guru Ravidass Sadhu Sampardai President Nirmal Dass. Makkar visited the dera in Ballan and also Nirmal Dass’ dera in village Rasoolpur last Thursday and efforts have been made ever since to speak to the dera head. But so far only dera incharge Surinder Dass Bawa talked to him on the issue.
Significantly, Dera Ballan had made a clear departure from the tradition during the Antim Ardaas of Sant Ramanand, deputy head of the dera who was killed in a Vienna temple on May 24, by not organizing any Akhand Path and not having Prakash of Guru Granth Sahib in the religious function held on June 13.
Sikhs consider it surprising that even within the Ravidassia sect, little debate has taken place about their relations with the Sikh community and one wonders if the leaders have thought the implications of distancing themselves from a heritage earned over centuries, that too belonging to a community that accords great respect to Bhagat Ravidass ji.
The latest move seems to be a peculiar way of identity assertion by the Adharmi community.
15 July 2009