Chandigarh: Come elections and all roads in Punjab seem to lead to Deras – (religious sects) – with candidates of all hues, whatever their affiliation, seeking blessings for their political innings.
Incidentally, there are hundreds of Deras in the state which find wide acceptance owing to the deep-seated social inequities in the ‘land of Gurus and Pirs (saints)’.
While there are a few Deras that have steered clear of politics, there are some other Sikh-dominated Deras and the ones which have a huge following from among Dalits and other communities that have perceptible political leanings.
One with the largest following, the Dera Sachkhand Ballan (district Jalandhar), which preaches the philosophy of Guru Ravi Dass, has a strong connect with the Ravidassia Dalit population (32%), particularly in the Doaba region.
The Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan, (Nurmahal, district Jalandhar) connects with the downtrodden sections of Hindus and migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in Jalandhar and Ludhiana regions. Its head Ashutosh Maharaj was declared dead in 2014, but his followers don’t accept his demise and have kept his body in a freezer.
The Radha Soami Satsang, Beas, which has arguably the largest base in the country across religions and caste lines, has maintained its distance from political parties; yet top politicians from all parties throng Beas in deference to the followers wishes. Its head Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon has met chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and blessed him.
The Dera Parmeshwar Dwar (dist Patiala) preacher Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale has been openly criticising the Akal Takht, SGPC, and Akali Dal’s ways of functioning. Though a hit among sections of NRI Sikhs and the rural population for his frank remarks on religious practices, he is said to be a target of radicals.
The Damdami Taksal, a Sikh seminary, was the centre of radical activities during days of terrorism in Punjab and it had Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as its head. It has built a memorial to Operation Bluestar in the Golden Temple complex and it supports the Shirmoani Akali Dal.
Though Namdharis have been traditionally Congress supporters since the freedom struggle, the bitter war of succession between two brothers heading the Dera Bhaini Sahib (in Ludhiana) and Jeevan Nagar, Sirsa (Haryana), has seen them switching their loyalty to the ruling party in their respective states for the past few years.
The Nirankaris’ Dera, which has a bloody past of clashes with Sikh outfits over its preaching style, is said to be inclined towards the Congress.
The Dadu Sahib Dera has also had a conflict with the Akalis and is averse to the Shiromani Akali Dal candidates. It is said to be supportive of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Dera Rummiwala also has a large following in Malwa and the former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh is a frequent visitor.
The Thaath Nanaksar Kaleran Dera followers, who are spread across Moga, Ludhiana and Faridkot districts, are said to be supportive of Akali leadership.
The Dera Sacha Sauda (Sirsa, Haryana) which had a huge following in the Malwa region and often openly supported different parties, is inactive since 2017 when its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted and jailed by the CBI for rape and murder.
Political scientist Dr Ronki Ram, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chair, who has worked on the political sociology of Deras says there is no standard methodology to fathom the political inclination of Deras and the impact of the same on the performance of the SAD, the Congress, the AAP or farmers’ outfits in this assembly poll.
``However, it can be presumed that the Congress could garner the support of Ravidass Deras for Charanjit Singh Channi who is the state’s first Dalit chief minister; the BJP may elicit some sympathy among the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda; The Dera of Radha Soamis, however, has always kept at bay from the humdrum of politics. However, since the majority of its following come from lower castes, there is a possibility of a slight tilt towards the Congress’’, he says and adds that the SAD, nonetheless, will get support from the Sikh dominated Deras.
