The Ravidassia Community and Religious Identity Demand

The Ravidassia Community and Religious Identity Demand

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Why in News

  • Thousands of members from the Ravidassia community recently gathered in Phagwara, Punjab. They demanded recognition as a separate religion in the upcoming Census.

Who Are the Ravidassias?

  • The Ravidassias form a distinct socio-religious Dalit community. They follow the spiritual teachings, egalitarian philosophy, and mystic poetry of Guru Ravidas, a celebrated saint of the Bhakti Movement from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Habitat and Demographics

  • Around 12 lakh members of this community live in the Doaba region of Punjab. This region includes the four districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Nawanshahr.
  • Together with the related Ad Dharmi movement, the community counts over 30.95 lakh members. They make up more than 11% of Punjab's total population and form a major part of the state's 32% Dalit population.

History and Key Turning Points

  • Baba Sant Pipal Das established Dera Sachkhand Ballan. It became the primary institutional and religious hub for the Ravidassia community.
  • An armed attack on a Ravidassia gathering took place in Vienna in 2009, which led to the death of Sant Ramanand and injured many devotees. This incident triggered huge protests across Punjab.
  • In 2010, Dera Sachkhand Ballan officially declared the Ravidassia sect as an independent religion, establishing its unique spiritual identity.

Key Features of the Ravidassia Faith

  • The sacred text of the community is Amritbani Guru Ravidas Ji, which contains 200 hymns composed by Guru Ravidas.
  • Guru Ravidas conceptualized Begampura, meaning a city without sorrow. He envisioned it as an equal, caste-free society without fear, discrimination, or exploitation.
  • The community has its own worship places, religious greetings, and holy symbols such as the Har emblem.
  • The birthplace of Guru Ravidas at Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi serves as the main pilgrimage site for the community, drawing lakhs of followers every year.

Significance of the Demand

  • A separate category in the Census would ensure accurate population counting, prevent official misclassification, and give formal recognition to their distinct identity.
  • The community holds strong voting power in the Doaba region, giving it a significant role in Punjab politics and in discussions regarding Dalit representation.