With 4 days to go before the voting takes place for the Jalandhar Byelections 2023, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghan Chadha and Baba Seechewal on Saturday visited Sant Niranjan Dass, Chief of Dera Sach Khand Ballan. Dera Sach Khand Ballan is the largest Dera of the Ravidas Community and almost all political parties visit the place to seek blessings. Jalandhar By-Polls 2023 will be held on May 10 and counting of votes will be done on May 13. As a result, the campaign for the lone Jalandhar constituency is in final stages and political parties are visiting door to door in order to woo the voters apart from holding road shows. Now, for those wondering why AAP Rajya Sabha MP Radghav Chadha and Baba Seechewal visited Dera Sach Khand Ballan 4 days ahead of the Jalandhar Bypolls then you should know that the largest Ravidas Community's Dera has its own significance.
About Dera Sachkhand Ballan
Dera Sachkhand Ballan is one of the most significant deras for Ravidas community and play a major role in state as well as national politics. Based on the teachings of Ravidass, Dera Sachkhand Ballan is a powerful Ravidassias religious temple that has been prospering since the 1980s. The Dera was established in the 21st century and it is considered holy for the Ravidassia Dalits, who are predominant in the Doaba region.
Punjab: Inside Story of why Arvind Kejriwal and CM Mann are visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan
The Dera’s followers make a huge percentage of Punjab voters. Dalits make up 32% of Punjab's population- the largest percentage in any state, practically all political parties make it a point to meet with dera heads before the elections to secure their support. The majority of Dalit or SC people live in the Doaba region, which has an SC population of roughly 45 percent. The region sends 23 legislators to the 117-member state assembly. Dera has direct influence over at least 19 seats and the Ravidassia community's vote share ranges from 20% to 50%. According to a few academicians deras can’t be ignored and politics as the majority of followers vote for the same to whom their head is inclined towards.
Talking in Jalandhar Bypoll's context, all political parties are trying hard to woo the voters of Mazhabi and Ravidas community. Mazhabi Sikh Community holds the key to Jalandhar Bypolls along with Ravidas Community and Charanjit Atwal is known for his influence in the Atwal community. BJP's candidate Inder Atwal is the son of Lok Sabha's former Deputy Speaker Charanjit Atwal who reportedly belongs to the Mazhabi Sikh Community. Apart from him, former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi is also trying hard to woo the voters belonging to Ravidas and Mazhabi communities for the Congress.