2 weeks ago
BJP's Guru Ravidas Kalash Yatra Divides Saint's Followers
Guru Ravidas was a great saint who lived about 650 years ago.
He taught that everyone is equal and spoke out against unfair treatment based on caste.
To remember him, a group in India planned a special journey called the Kalash Yatra.
In this journey, people carry decorated pots with special soil from the place where Guru Ravidas was born.
The pots are being taken to different temples and gurdwaras across the country.
But not everyone agrees on how the birthday should be celebrated.
One group says the yatra should also go to places where Guru Ravidas' teachings are not known yet.
They say it should focus on fighting unfairness, just like Guru Ravidas did.
Another group says the yatra is a proud moment because it shows that Guru Ravidas is being honoured across the nation.
Both sides want the same thing: to share Guru Ravidas' message of equality and kindness.
The BJP launched a nationwide Kalash Yatra under its 'Sankalp Abhiyan' to commemorate Guru Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary.
The yatra began at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi, Guru Ravidas' birthplace, where 131 ceremonial kalash filled with sacred soil were flagged off.
The campaign is scheduled to conclude on August 31 at Seer Govardhanpur.
Guru Ravidas Sabha, Krishna Nagar, Jammu, backed by regional sabhas, says the yatra should reach places where Guru Ravidas is not traditionally represented, especially where caste discrimination persists.
Supporters, including Dr Kamal Sampla of the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan, call the yatra a matter of pride; the organisation also renewed its demand for a separate religion column for Ravidassia in the Census.
- Who
- The BJP, followers of Guru Ravidas, Guru Ravidas Sabha Krishna Nagar Jammu, and supporters led by Dr Kamal Sampla of the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan.
- What
- A nationwide Kalash Yatra marking Guru Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary, and a debate within the Ravidassia community over how the saint should be commemorated.
- Where
- Started at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi, Guru Ravidas' birthplace; kalash are travelling to temples and gurdwaras across India.
- When
- During Guru Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary; the yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
- Why
- To honour Guru Ravidas nationally; objectors argue commemoration should focus on spreading his anti-caste teachings to excluded communities rather than symbolic events.
Yatra objectors (Guru Ravidas Sabha, Jammu)
Yatra supporters (Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan)
Purpose of the yatra
Yatra objectors (Guru Ravidas Sabha, Jammu)
The yatra should take Guru Ravidas' teachings to temples and gurdwaras where he is not traditionally represented, especially in areas where caste discrimination and social exclusion persist.
Yatra supporters (Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan)
Carrying sacred soil from his birthplace across India gives his teachings national visibility and is recognition that was long overdue.
Political nature of the campaign
Yatra objectors (Guru Ravidas Sabha, Jammu)
Programmes organised in Guru Ravidas' name should remain centred on his teachings rather than political mobilisation.
Yatra supporters (Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan)
The yatra should not automatically be viewed through a political lens; carrying a kalash is a long-standing Ravidassia religious tradition.
Prominence of Guru Ravidas' image
Yatra objectors (Guru Ravidas Sabha, Jammu)
Publicity material made Guru Ravidas' image appear less prominent than those of political leaders; the saint should remain the central figure in commemorative events.
Yatra supporters (Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan)
The yatra is a matter of pride for the community, with people of all faiths carrying the kalash and placing them at Guru Ravidas temples and gurdwaras.
Key facts
- Campaign
- Guru Ravidas Kalash Yatra under BJP's Sankalp Abhiyan
- Occasion
- 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas
- Start point
- Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi (Guru Ravidas' birthplace)
- Number of kalash
- 131 ceremonial kalash filled with sacred soil
- Conclusion date
- August 31 at Seer Govardhanpur
- Objecting body
- Guru Ravidas Sabha, Krishna Nagar, Jammu
- Supporting body
- Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan (president: Dr Kamal Sampla)
- Related religious place
- Dera Sach Khand Ballan, Punjab (chairman: Sant Niranjan Dass)
Quotes
Dr Kamal Sampla
President of the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan
“He argued that carrying sacred soil from Guru Ravidas’ birthplace across India gives his teachings national visibility and should not automatically be viewed through a political lens.”
indianexpress.com
Guru Ravidas Sabha, Krishna Nagar, Jammu
Representative of the Guru Ravidas Sabha community group
“Installing sacred soil at places already associated with him, it argues, does little to expand awareness of his philosophy.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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