SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
Dera Sachkhand Ballan of Jalandhar is again in the news with regard to the Padma Awards ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan at which Sant Niranjan Dass, Head of the Dera (Gaddi Nasheen) was also conferred Padma Sri by Mahamahim Rashtrapati, Droupadi Murmu on June 23. As usual, the award to the revered Sant was announced on the Republic Day, 2026 for his contribution to Spirituality and Public Service. The followers of the Dera, obviously, are overwhelmed with joy with this well-deserved and earned State Honour and rightly so. I will not go into the details of Dera. It will be suffice to say that Dera Sachkhand Ballan is the nerve center of Dalit consciousness not only in India but beyond too in the 
world at large. The Dera under the spiritual and socio-cultural involvement and engagement with the community of Sant Sarwan Dass and down the line to current Gaddi Nasheen, Sant Niranjan Dass has become the abode of ‘Empowerment’ of Dalits keeping in line with the lofty ideals of ‘Social Equality’ and ‘Emancipation’ of the marginalized sections of the society floated and propounded by Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia under the banner of Ad-dharm Mandal of which Sant Sarwan Dass was a founding father, untiring struggle of Babasaheb Ambedkar to which the Dera was actively associated, relentless campaign by Babu Kanshi Ram to carry forward the ‘Caravan’ with a pragmatic approach in association and support of the Dera particularly; Sant Garib Dass and Sant Ramnand. Seeing the growing and strengthening profile of the Dera, over the years, one can easily make out its ‘Tryst with destiny’ and I recall the famous speech of PM Jawaharlal Nehru delivered at the dawn of Independence of India on the mid-night hour of August 14-15, 1947, “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”
The Dera Sachkhand Ballan’s moment of ‘Tryst with destiny’ has come, it appears. We shall not be oblivious of this ground reality – Sant Niranjan Dass is the first personality from Punjab, Head of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan, anointed and honoured with a Padma Award, PM Narendra Modi personally visited to meet Sant Niranjan Dass and pay obeisance at the Dera in February, 2026, Punjab Government has decided and designated a special project in the vicinity of the Dera in honour of Guru Ravidass in consultation with Dera, All political big-wigs; CMs, Ministers, Party Heads, MPs, MLAs fall on each other to visit the Dera with regard to socio-political aspirations, the community and the society at large tend to recognize and respect the Dera and its Sants. Now is the time when the Dera and people at the helm of the affairs should consider and get ready to live its moment of ‘Tryst with destiny’ – the sooner the better. There is no doubt in the mind of anybody of us that the present situation has evolved only because of the ‘Empowerment and Affirmative actions’ stipulated in the Constitution of India framed so thoughtfully by Babasaheb Ambedkar and others, slowly but steadily growing the label of education and awareness in the community, fast changing scenario of economic prosperity on account of migration of Dalit youth to developed countries of Europe and Americas and other greener pastures, sustained political campaign to realize the slogan of Babu Kanshi Ram “Jis Ki Jitni Sankhiya Bhari; Uski Utni Bhaggedari”. With these positive developments, the demographic weight of Dalits in Punjab, more that 35%, has further strengthened the position of Dalits in Punjab. Of course, the Deras like Sachkhand Ballan, with large following, have become a sought after quarters by all political forces at work. It would be just a matter of simple ignorance and fool-hardy to ignore the ground realities. The situation may not remain the same as the forces inimical to the interests of Dalits are working overtime to tilt the scale in their favour. I am confident that the Dera Sachkhand Ballan would rise to the occasion and avail of the opportunity the tide of time has thrown in their lap. We will ignore this fact at our own peril.
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
Now what is to be done, to my mind as an apolitical but an ardent follower of Guru Ravidass, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia and Babu Kanshi Ram for the larger good of the community? Since my childhood, I have been, along with my extended family, following Dera Sachkhand Ballan right from the days of Sant Sarwan Dass to Sant NiranjanDass not only for spiritual solace but also with regard to the community matters. The Dera has earned its name and fame and also status which could be used and deployed to watch the community interests in a thoughtful and organized manner. Though the Dera my not require these unsolicited advices or suggestions particularly from a novice like me yet I thought I shall share my views here. Whatever worth it maycarry; is to be judged by my community brethren. The idea is to redeem the pledge in the exercise of ‘Tryst with destiny’:-
· Functional Office– The Dera has come a long way and has clearly established its presence in the community and the society at large. It requires a functional office to organize and run a secretariat/office to – plan and run the activities of the Dera and the appointments schedule of its Head (Gaddi Nasheen). It should plan and organize an effective communication network; Office Secretary with Telephone, WhatsApp, E-mail facilities. The Dera should have a well-designed and operational Website which should be periodically updated. This suggestion may look a very cursory and simple but it has a lot of utility. As of now, if my information is correct, the Dera lacks this facility. I myself tried to get in touch with the Dera but failed repeatedly.
· Study and Research Cell – The Dera may consider to anoint and appoint a Study and Research cell consisting of 11 members from the intellectual and academic circles (Budhijivis) to study, formulate, execute the plans and programmes of the Dera including its interaction and dealings with the governmental, political, socio-cultural and spiritual outfits.
· Informal Group of Advisors and Consultants – The Gaddi Nasheen (Head of the Dera) should have a Group of Advisors and Consultants to advise and sound him on the prevailing and up-coming scenarios with regard to the Dera, community and the society at large. This informal group may consist of 21 members identified from the highly placed retired bureaucrats, professional (Bankers, Doctors, Engineers, IT Experts), businessmen etc.
My motivation to revisit the subject is not to find faults and criticize in anyway as I take the Dera in my highest esteem but to see Dera Sachkhand Ballan to redeem the vision of Guru Ravidass, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia and Babu Kanshi Ram as a leader and guide of the community. I take this opportunity to wish all the best to the Dera and Sant Maharaj Niranjan Dass ji in the years to come. I conclude this with an Urdu composition of Allama Iqbal –
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
Parona Aik Hi Tasbeeh Mein In Bikhare Danon Ko
Jo Muskhil Hai, To Iss Mushkil Ki Asan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
If stringing these scattered pearls in a single rosary
Is difficult, I will surely make this difficult task easy
