AI Generated Summary
- Although hundreds of deras operate in Punjab, some of the major ones include Dera Sacha Sauda, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, the Nirankari Mission, the Namdhari sect (Bhaini Sahib), Dera Baba Murad Shah (Nakodar), Dera Baba Balak Nath, and the Ballan Ravidasia Dera.
- It is widely believed that whichever party or leader receives the “divine glance” of a dera head is bound to receive a shower of votes.
- In fact, the origin of deras dates back to the British era, when efforts were made to weaken the Sikhs by diverting them away from the Guru Granth Sahib and steering them toward deras.
The influence of deras in Punjab is nothing new; it has been continuing for many years. In fact, the origin of deras dates back to the British era, when efforts were made to weaken the Sikhs by diverting them away from the Guru Granth Sahib and steering them toward deras. Gradually, a large section of the Sikh community began turning toward these deras, especially because most of the dera managers belonged to the Sikh community themselves.
Not only this, inside many deras, Gurbani kirtan or selected verses from the Guru Granth Sahib are rearranged and presented in a way meant to attract people. Till today, no dera has written its own independent scripture.
Now the situation is such that Punjab is no longer only the land of farms and Gurus; it has also become a major center of dera culture. Over time, these deras have not remained merely religious places, but have started intervening deeply in social and political life. To understand Punjab’s politics today, it is extremely important to understand the influence of deras.
Unofficial figures suggest that out of about 13,000 villages in Punjab, nearly 9,000 are influenced by deras. Therefore, every political party believes that moving ahead in politics without connecting with dera influence is nearly impossible. That is why leaders make regular visits to them. From Congress, BJP and AAP to even parties that call themselves Panthic, most leaders have been doing this for a long time.
In reality, deras build political identity through social service. They provide education, de-addiction programs, langar, and health services. This creates trust among people, and that same trust turns into political decisions during elections.
Although hundreds of deras operate in Punjab, some of the major ones include Dera Sacha Sauda, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, the Nirankari Mission, the Namdhari sect (Bhaini Sahib), Dera Baba Murad Shah (Nakodar), Dera Baba Balak Nath, and the Ballan Ravidasia Dera. These have hundreds of thousands to millions of followers. Whatever direction the dera gives, followers usually vote accordingly. It is widely believed that whichever party or leader receives the “divine glance” of a dera head is bound to receive a shower of votes.
There have been many elections in Punjab where the margin of victory and defeat was very small. In such situations, dera support decides who will hold power. Although the younger generation is connecting more with social media and education, the influence of deras in rural Punjab has not declined. As long as social inequality and the need for identity remain, the role of deras in politics will continue.
