I am not tired as yet – Community (Socially weaker Sections of the society) interests are heavy on my mind

 

I am not tired as yet – Community (Socially weaker Sections of the society) interests are heavy on my mind

I have been writing in my blogs, more frequently these days, on some of the issues in currency pertaining to Dalits with particular reference to BJP’s renewed campaign to lure Dalit Vote Banks in the forthcoming elections in Punjab and UP. Through these blogs and also the social media platforms like; Facebook and WhatsApp and

also verbal communications with all the concerned in the BJP hierarchy and stakeholders in the community, I have tried my best to make my views reach home but, as usual, the ruling elite is blissfully silent for reasons best known to them. But I am not tired as yet and would continue to underline the issues of interest and concern to the weaker segments of the society. My last blog on the subject would throw some more light on the subject: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-650-th-gurpurab-of-guru-ravidass.html

 

BJP has recently revamped its organizational structures in Punjab giving some responsibilities to SCs leaders. I intended to attract their attention to my submissions besides sensitizing the entire leadership of BJP with a view to alert them of the ground realities of the “Vote Banks’ they were trying to lure. Here are my observations on one of the posts in which the newly appointed leaders were being congratulated and felicitated:-

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Congratulations to all of you on your coveted positions in the BJP. I am a faceless play back singer. Please read my blogs and consider the issues raised and highlighted with regard to Dalits in Punjab and beyond. Rinku, Bagha, Angural with whom I generally share my thoughts, know the issues. BJP needs 5-7% votes of Dalits to make a dent in Punjab and beyond. If BJP takes positive view and announce acceptance of these issues, I am confident, they will not be disappointed. The intelligentsia and educated lot among Dalits read and support my views and suggestions. The time is of essence. Hope that you the new elite in the BJP would understand. I will only be happy, if anyone of you wants to discuss and have details in this regard – Ambassador Ramesh Chander, Supporter of Samrasta and an Inclusive and Equitable Social Order.

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Let me reiterate that I have nothing to do with politics. My only interest, may be to extent of obsession, is to carry forward the agenda of Samrasta and Equitable Social Order as visualized by Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar. With this, I also take this

opportunity to caution the spiritual Deras; particularly Dera Sachkhand Ballan of the community not to fall prey to the ‘Sweet Nothings’ and ‘Lip Service” of the ruling elite and demand substantive and concrete steps with regard to the submissions on the 650^th Gurpurab and April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the ages of UN.

Hawaida  Aaj Apne Zakhm-e-Pinhan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
Lahoo Ro Ro Ke Mehfil Ko Gulistan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
(I will surely exhibit all my hidden wounds today
I will surely change assembly to a garden with blood‐mixed tears)

Jalana Hai Mujhe Har Shama-e-Dil Ko Souz-e-Pinhan Se
Teri Tareek Raaton Mein Charaghan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
(I have to light every heart’s candle with hidden pathos
I will surely create bright illumination in your darkness)

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 20

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 20

1.   Gen - Z at Jantar Mantar - The Gen - Z protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi have really done some “Jantar Mantar’ to awaken and motivate the Gen – Z, of late. The immediate ammunition to ignite the situation arose from the observations of CJI Surya Kant calling unemployed youth -‘Cockroaches’, as alleged and the ‘Neet Exam’

paper-leaks among others. As such, the protests are being spearheaded by the impromptu cropped up outfit named ‘Cockroach Janta Party (CJI) on one hand and various outfits of students on the other. All details are in the public domain particularly after the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest and the aftermath of it. I wrote a blog on the situation on July 25 which may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/07/gandhi-and-ambedkar-come-alive-at.html

Keeping with the democratic norms and socio-political pressure, GOI had to bend with the resignation of Education Minister, Dhramendra Pradhan and accepting other demands of the Gen – Z. Once again, the resilience of the Constitution of India manifested itself; it is matter of gratification to note. The strongest governments are made to bend and listen to the people. A noted scholar Amish Tripathi has rightly said, “Every generation has had its share of protests and Gen Z is no different. Dissent should always remain within the constitutional framework as envisioned by BR Ambedkar.” In an article in the Tribune, an eminent sociologist Surinder Jodhka

summed up the Gen – Z scenario and said, “The way forward lies in making the system transparent and accountable through democratic negotiations with stakeholders, institutions and individuals. Though limited to their immediate concerns, the Gen - Z protests of the summer of 2026 can have far-reaching implications for the idea of the Indian Republic. Over a period of just five weeks, they seem to have brought back the idea of India as imagined by its foundational thinkers: Ambedkar’s constitutionalism, Gandhi’s Sarva Dharma Sambhav and Nehru’s secularism. “ I feel vindicated for my thinking shared in my blog of July 25 – Gandhi and Ambedkar Come Alive.

Wattan Bachane Ka Waqt Hai Yeh;

Makan Bachane Ka Zikar Chodo,

Mere bhi Hathon Mein De Do Parcham;

Mere Bajurgo Hina Se Pehle

 

2.   Dera Sachkhand Ballan – Internal Fissures

The DeraSachkhand Ballan of Jalandhar is the Mecca of Dalits particularlier the followers of Guru Ravidass of India and beyond. Of late, the Deras esteem and prestige touched further heights with the Padma Award to its Head – Gaddi Nasheen, Sant Niranjan Dass, PM
Narendra Modi’s visit to the Dera in February, 2026, PM’s meeting with Sant Niranjan Dass in Jalandhar in July, Sant Niranjan’s blessing to commence BJP’s Samrasta Sankalap Abhian from Seer Goverdhanpur – Kashi on July 29 etc. I last wrote about the Dera not long ago on June 25 which may be seen at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/06/dera-sachkhand-ballan-of-jalandhar.html

Notwithstanding all these positive developments, the social media is full of some stories about the internal ramblings in the Dera which is increasingly becoming a cause of concern and worry. On getting the information, as a humble member of the community and a well-wisher of the Dera, I commented on a Facebook post -

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I don't have the full story and details of the happenings. But one thing is certain that everything is not smooth and well in one of the prominent and important Deras of the community. It is a matter of concern and worry. As far as I know, no such thing happened in Dera Beas, Nirankari Mission, Dera Sacha Sauda Divya Jyoti etc,. It is worrisome that it is happening for the second time in the decade. First same treatment was meted out to Sant Surinder Bawa and he

established his own Dera not far from Ballan. Now it is happening to Sant Mandeep Dass. What will he do, it is too early to say. Ultimately, it might lead to further division and disunity which is not good. Dera Sachkhand Ballan should be transparent and issue an authenticated statement explaining position. It will set the matter in its right perspective and dismiss the rumors and half-truth finding currency in the media. I hope the big-wigs at the Ballan Dera would listen to the conciliatory approaches to arrest the negative fallout of these verbal slings -Ambassador Ramesh Chander - A Humble Well Wisher of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan

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I tried to reach the Dera and sent my views to Niranjan Cheema, Hardev Dass among other namely; Sat Paul Virdi. Anyway, a few days ago, I heard a video post of the Dera General Secretary, Sat Paul Heera on the Facebook in which he informed that Sant Niranjan Dass has pardoned Sant Mandeep Dass and he would continue to look after the Sirsgarh Dera in Haryana. It was a welcome development.

But later I came to know that it was not to be. Sat Paul Heera withdrew his statement and the situation was back to the square one. The standoff between Dera Ballan and their extended arm, Dera Sirsgarh continues. It is a worrisome situation. I intend to use this platform to urge and request the well-wishers of the Dera Schkhand Ballan to kindly intervene and approach the Gaddi Nasheen Sant Niranjan Dass and others at the Dera to kindly solve the issue with a sense of accommodation and magnanimity before it goes out of hand and harm the interests of the Dera and the community. May Guru Ravidass bless us with ‘Sadbudhi’.

Chupa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyan Rakhi Hain Gardoon Ne
Anadil Bagh Ke Ghafil Na Baithen Ashiyon Mein

(The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve
Garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests)

 

 

 

Man Changa To Kathoti Mein Ganga

 

Man Changa To Kathoti Mein Ganga

 In his Bani, Guru Ravidass said – Man Changa To Kathoti Mein Ganga – There is no need to go anywhere for worship or pilgrimage, It can be done while sitting at home, if one is pious and clean from within. These days, social media and political circles in Punjab and UP are over-flowing with Guru Ravidass with regard to his 650th

Gurpurab falling in February, 2027. The year 2026-2027 is dedicated to the great Guru for his sterling contribution to propagate and establish a Casteless Society and Equitable World Order based on the lofty ideals of – Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to realize his vision of Begumpura Shehar – the City without sorrow and misery. Obviously, the followers of Guru Ravidass and all fair minded people are delighted to celebrate the Gurpurab with all solemnity and reverence and rightly so.

But my immediate motivation to write about this emanates from the ongoing political connotations being imparted to the solemn occasion by the political parties to carry forward their political agenda. BJP has taken the matter to new heights by unleashing its IT machinery and ‘Money Power’ as if they have found a ‘Vote Catching’ net in the

Guru and his legacy. No one should, prima facie, object to it. But the modus oprandi being adopted seems suspect and fishy. I thought of sharing my take on the subject for the benefit of both the political enthusiasts and the followers of Guru Ravidass including the Ravidassia Deras which have been dragged into the machinations of the vested interests.

Guru Ravidass was a non-conformist who did not believe in excessive Hindu rituals as depicted in his Bani and personal conduct. The followers of Guru Ravidass were expecting the ruling elite to announce a roadmap of the celebrations of the great guru in a befitting manner and some of them put forward various suggestions too in this regard. But instead of the GOI announcing something substantive to celebrate the 650th Gurpurab left the initiative to BJP with a view to encash the occsin at the ‘Vote Banks’ to strengthen

their hold in the forthcoming elections in Punjab and UP – Samrasta Sankalap Abhian - Kalsh Yatra etc. With the explicit or hidden  blessings of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, the Abhian started on July 29, 2026 from Seer Goverdhanpur (Kashi-Banaras) and will conclude on February 20, 2027 at Seer Goverdhanpur itself. The whole media is agog with the visuals of mighty CMs and BJP bigwigs carrying Kalshas on their heads and reaching out to the Ravidassia Mandirs/Gurdawaras/Dhams and other public places. I being a proponent of Samrasta myself, I will be failing in my duty, if I don’t share here the negative fallout of the so called Samrasta Sankalap Abhian and the Kalsha Yatra – first, it does not commensurate well with the teachings and philosophy of Guru Ravidass. The Kalsh

Yatras are better taken to Hindu Mandirs and other spiritual destinations and not to Guru Ravidass Mandirs alone as rightly suggested by one of my friends, Manohar Mahey, a prominent community activist and others in an informal brainstorming sitting the other day.  Moreover, the mindset of Ravidassias and the community at large do not conform to the Hindu rituals as a rebellion against the oppressive conduct of the so called Upper castes due to historical background of centuries. One may or may not agree with this but it is the ground reality. The Gen – Z of the Ravidassias is not interested in Samrasta in the caste based hierarchy. They are the claimants of ‘Equality’ as stakeholders with their own identity. The need of the day is that we should reconcile Samrasta with Samanta. The sooner we understand is better. The socio-political leadership of the country

must see the writings on the wall and come up with a concrete roadmap to celebrate the Gurpurab as a befitting tribute to the great Guru. Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tuglakabad in Delhi is an emotive issue for the community and must be resolved to empower the community. The adjoining lands of Seer Goverdhanpur Mandir – birthplace of Guru Ravidass and the lands in the vicinity should be acquired and used to preserve the legacy of the Guru. Some of the other suggestions made and submitted to GOI and BJP are again listed below for ready reference with the hope that these are considered and decided instead of harping on the optics of the ongoing Samrasta Sankalap Abhian before it gets late. - 

The following suggestions may be considered and made with regard to the programme –

· National Function on the Guru Ravidass Jyanti in 2027 at Seer Goverdhanpur, the birth place of the great Guru at Varanasi.

· Functions at important places pertaining to Guru Ravidass and his legacy like – Dera Sachkhand Ballan at Jalandhar and Charan Cho-Ganga at Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur in Punjab, Guru Ravidass Temple at Tuglakabad in Delhi, Ravidass Chattri at Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, Sarnath/Budh Gaya in Bihar, Ahmedabad in Gujrat, Chennai in Tamil Nadu among others

· Issuing of Commemorative Postal Stamp and Coins.

· Inclusion of Guru’s Vani and socio-cultural message of Guru Ravidass in the syllabus and curricula of Schools and Colleges.

· All Universities should host functions to celebrate the 650th year of Guru’s Parkash Utsav appropriately.

· All schools and colleges should be advised to celebrate the occasion suitably.

· Establish Guru Ravidass Study Chairs at Banaras Hindu University at Varanasi, Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar, Panjab University at Chandigarh among others.

· Discussions and Debates on Guru Ravidass on Doordarshan

· Advise and direct all Indian Diplomatic Missions in the countries where members of the Ravidassia community are concentrated like the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Germany, and Italy among others.

· Special programmes on Guru Ravidass by the socio-cultural outfits like RSS, SGPC, Beas Satsang, Nirankari Satsang, Swaminarayan (Akshardham) among others, Chaitanya Prabhu outfits among others.

Brainstorming on matters of interest and concern

आ ग़ैरियत के पर्दे इक बार फिर उठा दें

बिछड़ों को फिर मिला दें नक़्श-ए-दुई मिटा दें

दुनिया के तीरथों से ऊँचा हो अपना तीरथ

दामान-ए-आसमाँ से इस का कलस मिला दें

हर सुब्ह उठ के गाएँ मंतर वो मीठे मीठे

सारे पुजारियों को मय पीत की पिला दें

शक्ति भी शांति भी भगतों के गीत में है

धरती के बासीयों की मुक्ती प्रीत में है

 

 

The 650th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass – Solemn Celebrations

 

The 650^th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass – Solemn Celebrations 

It is a matter of gratification to note that BJP has announced a roadmap to celebrate and observe the 650th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass from July 29, 2026, on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, to February 20, as pronounced by MP Tarun Chugh in the video clip:

MP Tarun Chugh at Seer Goverdhanpur

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ax4SBkU5S/

I appreciate the initiative taken by the BJP. But it is a matter of regret and concern that GOI is yet to take any substantive step to celebrate and observe the 650th Gurpurab of the great Guru. I had submitted some suggestions/proposal to the GOI/BJP in this regard which may be seen in my blog:

https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/.../guru-ravidass... 

The blog includes the following roadmap:

I. GOI may appoint a High Power Committee of Ministers, highly placed bureaucrats, spiritual leaders of Ravidassia community, Ravidassia intelligentsia (Budhijivis) and others from the society at large.

II. The High Power Committee of the GOI will formulate and draw

up suitable programme to celebrate and commemorate the 650th Parkash Utsav and the Year 2027 as a befitting tribute to the life, philosophy and Legacy of Guru Ravidass.

 The following suggestions may be considered and made with regard to the programme –

· National Function on the Guru Ravidass Jyanti in 2027 at Seer Goverdhanpur, the birth place of the great Guru at Varanasi.

· Functions at important places pertaining to Guru Ravidass and his legacy like – Dera Sachkhand Ballan at Jalandhar and Charan Cho-Ganga at Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur in Punjab, Guru Ravidass Temple at Tughlakabad in Delhi, Ravidass Chattri at Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, Sarnath/Budh Gaya in Bihar, Ahmedabad in Gujrat, Chennai in Tamil Nadu among others

· Issuing of Commemorative Postal Stamp and Coins.

· Inclusion of Guru’s Vani and socio-cultural message of Guru Ravidass in the syllabus and curricula of Schools and Colleges.

· All Universities should host functions to celebrate the 650th year of Guru’s Parkash Utsav appropriately.

· All schools and colleges should be advised to celebrate the occasion suitably.

· Establish Guru Ravidass Study Chairs at Banaras Hindu University at Varanasi, Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar, Panjab University at Chandigarh among others.

· Discussions and Debates on Guru Ravidass on Doordarshan

· Advise and direct all Indian Diplomatic Missions in the countries where members of the Ravidassia community are concentrated like the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Germany, and Italy among others.

· Special programmes on Guru Ravidass by the socio-cultural outfits like RSS, SGPC, Beas Satsang, Nirankari Satsang, Swaminarayan (Akshardham) among others, Chaitanya Prabhu outfits among others.

 My humble request to BJP and GOI is that kindly consider the matter seriously with sincerity. The stakeholders abroad are also interested in celebrating and observing the Gurpurab in a befitting matter. The British Ravidassia Heritage Foundation (BRHF) of UK wrote to me on the subject. In turn, I requested the Indian High Commissioner in London to kindly join hands with the followers of Guru Ravidass in this regard. My E-mail message to the High Commissioner may be seen below:

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For High Commissioner P. Kumaran

Dear Kumaran Sahib, 

First of all, congratulations on your coveted assignment in London. I wish you all the best. 

I am one of your retired colleagues of 1984 (YOA) now settled in Jalandhar with a view to join the crowd and do some community work humbly. 

Kindly see the forwarded message of my friend and associate Sat Paul, President of British Ravidassia Heritage Foundation (BRHF) with regard to the celebrations of the 650th Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass ji, a harbinger of equality, fraternity and justice and a leading light of the Bhakti Movement of 15th centenary. You are aware a large chunk of

With the BRHF Seniors

the Indian diaspora in the UK is the followers of Guru Ravidass represented by the outfits like BRHF among others. They are observing and commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of the revered Guru in all solemnity and joy. The GOI under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi has pronounced to celebrate the Gurpurab year 2027 in a befitting way to pay tributes to the great Guru and to enforce the lofty ideals of Bhaichara and Samrasta in the society as enshrined in Constitution of India. It would only be good and appropriate to join hands with BRHF and others to make suitable programme and events to celebrate the Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass. 

I am confident, Kumaran Sahib, that you will consider and respond to the submissions of BRHF as the flag bearer of India and its culture in the UK. Here in India, we have already submitted our proposals to GOI in this regard. We hope that you would soon listen from GOI (MEA/PMO) too. 

I have endorsed a copy of this message to MBE Sat Paul. He would get in touch with you on listening from your high office.

With personal regards,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador - IFS (Retired)

Jalandhar (Punjab)

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 The followers of Guru Ravidass are watching and waiting eagerly. 

Mujhe Lorian De Rahen Hain Sabi

Kyon Ki Karbat Ley Raha Hai Zamana