Dera followers install new granth in two villages

The holy book of the new Ravidassia religion has been placed in the sect’s temples in two villages. The 170-page granth,titled ‘Amrit Bani – Guru Ravidass’,contains 240 hymns of Guru Ravidass. Followers of Dera Sachkhand Ballan,which announced the new religion some days ago,placed the granth in Nagal Krar Khan and Jhande villages.

Meanwhile,leaders of radical Sikh organisations,the Dal Khalsa and SAD (Panch Pardhani),under the aegis of Khalsa Action Committee,lashed out at Dera Sachkand Ballan for attempting to sever ties with the Sikh community. At a press conference,Bhai Mohkam Singh,H S Dhami,Kanwarpal Singh and Harpal Singh Cheema said the directive of the Dera

was an attempt to create a rift amongst the Sikh community. They said Ravadassia Sikhs were an integral part of the Khalsa Panth and Bhagat Ravidass is held in high esteem by all Sikhs.

Taking Dera Ballan trustees to task,they said any disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib would not be tolerated.

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The leaders blamed SAD-Badal’s policies for the “crisis”. “Jathedar of the Akal Takht and SGPC president have failed to handle the situation,” they alleged.

They lauded the stand taken by Sri Guru Ravidass Sadhu Sampardai Society against the directive of Dera Ballan.

Sri Guru Ravidass Sadhu Sampardai Society,a body representing around 150 deras of the Ravidassia community in the state,had on Wednesday rejected the new religion after a meeting of its executive committee.