Chandigarh, Jan 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar this Sunday to participate in the 649th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ravidass.
The visit, confirmed by Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu, represents a notable shift in the Prime Minister’s traditional itinerary, as he typically observes the occasion at Seer Govardhan in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister’s presence at the Dera, a spiritual hub for the Ravidassia community, comes shortly after the government announced a Padma Shri for the Dera head, Sant Niranjan Dass.
This visit follows a high-level meeting held two months ago at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi, where Sant Niranjan Dass was accompanied by senior BJP leaders.
“The PM may also name the airport in Adampur after Guru Ravidass,” a former Member of Parliament noted while discussing the potential impact of the visit on the region.
State BJP leaders expressed that the visit serves as a precursor to the 650th anniversary of the Guru next year. Avinash Chander, a senior leader, mentioned that with this visit, the Prime Minister will kick-start the year-long celebrations in the honor of the Guru.
While other political parties have previously pledged support to the Dera, including proposals for a research centre and financial grants, Dera functionaries observed that past promises from previous administrations have yet to materialize on the ground.
