ID :
64599
Mon, 06/08/2009 - 08:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/64599
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Controversial 'deras' add fuel to Punjab fire
Chandigarh, Jun 7 (PTI) Northern state Punjab's social
and religious fabric is undergoing a gradual change, and
divisions too, with the increasing influence of controversial
deras or sects headed by 'godmen' who have capitalised on the
tensions between orthodox Sikhs and others.
The spotlight has swivelled to the deras once again with
large parts of Punjab being held to ransom by followers of the
Dera Sachkhand protesting the attack on two of their leaders
in Vienna recently.
The attack itself was the result of a simmering tension
between the dominant Jat Sikh community of Punjab and the
largely Dalit Sikh followers of the sect.
Much of the following that the sects are attracting is
because people from lower casts and lower stratas of Punjab
society are trying to seek a distinct identity for themselves,
political analysts say.
There are other sects as well like the Nirankaris, whose
ideological differences with the Sikhs led to 13 people being
killed in a clash in Amritsar in April 1978.
Dera Sachkhand, set up over 70 years ago in Ballan
village near Jalandhar by Sant Pipal Singh, follows the ideals
of 14th century preacher Guru Ravidass.
The sect leaders have been placing the Sikh holy book,
Guru Granth Sahib, in their gurdwaras and religious
ceremonies, much to the annoyance of the Sikh clergy and
community. The Sikhs object to their holy book being placed
equally with leaders of this sect.
Dera Sacha Sauda, headquartered in a sprawling campus on
the outskirts of Sirsa town in adjoining Haryana, 300 km from
Chandigarh, has been the most controversial among all the
sects in recent years. It has a following of 20 million people
in various states and over three million in Punjab.
Most of the followers are people from lower castes. The
sect has found acceptability amongst women and families as it
preaches against drugs and alcoholism.
Its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh faces cases of murder
and the rape of a 'sadhvi' (female disciple) and has been
involved in a major controversy with the Sikh community since
April 2007 for allegedly attiring himself on the lines of 10th
Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, during a ceremony.
His action led to large-scale violence in Punjab,
Haryana, Jammu and other places.
Despite the controversies around him, the sect leader
continues to enjoy popularity among his followers.
The Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan led by godman Ashutosh
Maharaj, has also been involved in several controversies,
especially with the Sikh community, on matters of ideology.
Baba Bhaniarewala sect is headed by a self-proclaimed
'baba', Piara Singh Bhaniarewala, and based in Ropar district.
His followers are also mostly from Dalit Sikh community.
He has also been involved in various controversies with the
Sikh community as he compares himself to the Sikh Gurus.
He and his followers have been accused of burning the
Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in recent years. PTI VJ
JVN
NNNN
and religious fabric is undergoing a gradual change, and
divisions too, with the increasing influence of controversial
deras or sects headed by 'godmen' who have capitalised on the
tensions between orthodox Sikhs and others.
The spotlight has swivelled to the deras once again with
large parts of Punjab being held to ransom by followers of the
Dera Sachkhand protesting the attack on two of their leaders
in Vienna recently.
The attack itself was the result of a simmering tension
between the dominant Jat Sikh community of Punjab and the
largely Dalit Sikh followers of the sect.
Much of the following that the sects are attracting is
because people from lower casts and lower stratas of Punjab
society are trying to seek a distinct identity for themselves,
political analysts say.
There are other sects as well like the Nirankaris, whose
ideological differences with the Sikhs led to 13 people being
killed in a clash in Amritsar in April 1978.
Dera Sachkhand, set up over 70 years ago in Ballan
village near Jalandhar by Sant Pipal Singh, follows the ideals
of 14th century preacher Guru Ravidass.
The sect leaders have been placing the Sikh holy book,
Guru Granth Sahib, in their gurdwaras and religious
ceremonies, much to the annoyance of the Sikh clergy and
community. The Sikhs object to their holy book being placed
equally with leaders of this sect.
Dera Sacha Sauda, headquartered in a sprawling campus on
the outskirts of Sirsa town in adjoining Haryana, 300 km from
Chandigarh, has been the most controversial among all the
sects in recent years. It has a following of 20 million people
in various states and over three million in Punjab.
Most of the followers are people from lower castes. The
sect has found acceptability amongst women and families as it
preaches against drugs and alcoholism.
Its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh faces cases of murder
and the rape of a 'sadhvi' (female disciple) and has been
involved in a major controversy with the Sikh community since
April 2007 for allegedly attiring himself on the lines of 10th
Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, during a ceremony.
His action led to large-scale violence in Punjab,
Haryana, Jammu and other places.
Despite the controversies around him, the sect leader
continues to enjoy popularity among his followers.
The Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan led by godman Ashutosh
Maharaj, has also been involved in several controversies,
especially with the Sikh community, on matters of ideology.
Baba Bhaniarewala sect is headed by a self-proclaimed
'baba', Piara Singh Bhaniarewala, and based in Ropar district.
His followers are also mostly from Dalit Sikh community.
He has also been involved in various controversies with the
Sikh community as he compares himself to the Sikh Gurus.
He and his followers have been accused of burning the
Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in recent years. PTI VJ
JVN
NNNN
