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Dera Sachkhand Ballan snubbed by
wide sections of Ramdassias
WSN Network
 Jalandhar :
After the announcement of new religion Ravidassia and a new granth
by Dera Sachkhand Ballan, the Dera has been almost isolated by the
community, which has rejected the new religion and are reluctant to
visit the Dera.
On February 2,
the birth anniversary of late Sant Ramananad, who was killed in
Vienna last May, only a few followers visited the Dera to attend the
ceremony, even as nearly 1.5 lakh devotees had paid homage on the
arrival of his body last year.
“I used to
visit the Dera quite frequently and this time also the authorities
had informed us about the birth anniversary of Sant Ramanand but I
didn’t attend it because of the controversy created by the Dera by
announcing a new religion. A large number of people of our community
are still not in favour of a separate religion,” said Joga Ram of
village Salem Pur.
“The community
believes that Dera Ballan should not create rift among the
communities by making such announcements,” said Ram Chand, a devotee
of the Dera and a resident of Beas village.
After
announcement of the new religion in Banaras, Dera authorities,
including Dera trustee Seth Satpal, have refused to comment on the
issue.
Another
follower, Parbhu Ram of Kaki village, said he has been a devotee of
the Dera for over 30 years. “I used to do service in the Dera on
every occasion but I and my family have decided to avoid visits to
the Dera till the controversy of new religion is not resolved,” he
added.
“We respect the
new granth but cannot disrespect Guru Granth Sahib, which has been
kept in our temples and gurdwaras since ages. How can a holy
scripture which is being worshipped for centuries be replaced?” said
Balwant Kaur, a devotee.
“We have decided
to follow the same tradition we were following before the
announcement of the new religion so there was no question of
visiting the Dera on the birth anniversary of the sant,” said Surjit
Kaur.
“Community
people are hesitant to visit the Dera,” said Gian Chand, a community
leader and convener of Samaj Bachao Morcha, which was the first to
defy the new religion.
New scripture
replaced by Guru Granth Sahib
The new granth
‘Amrit Bani Guru Ravidass’, compiled by Dera Sachkhand Ballan, was
removed from the main platform of Ravidass temple in Dakoha area on
Thursday. Bir of Guru Granth Sahib was placed at the main platform
in the morning by temple officials. The new granth has already been
shifted out from the Ravidass temple in Dhadde village. The new
granth was placed at around a dozen shrines in Jalandhar and nearby
areas since the announcement of the new religion.
17
February 2010
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