MOHALI, AUGUST 12 — The teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj hold profound relevance in modern times by advocating for universal brotherhood and equality, declared Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during a recent academic gathering.
Addressing attendees at a state-level forum held at Amity University, the minister detailed a major state initiative to preserve these spiritual texts. The Punjab government is establishing a state-of-the-art Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre at Faridpura Naugaza in Dera Ballan. The administration will allocate ₹25 crore for construction, supplementing an initial ₹11 crore land procurement investment.
Cheema affirmed that the egalitarian philosophy shared by spiritual leaders centuries ago predated modern institutional recognition of human rights in Western nations. He noted that academic institutions serve a vital role in connecting the younger generation with these historical ideals to strengthen social harmony across diverse communities.
Reflecting on the contemporary political landscape, the minister maintained that the foundational message of liberty requires constant nurturing. He observed that current national dialogues sometimes challenge the freedom of speech, making Guru Ravidass Ji’s commitment to human dignity highly relevant today.
“Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj envisioned a society based on equality, justice, compassion and mutual respect,” stated Cheema. “His Bani inspires people to reject discrimination and work towards creating an inclusive society where every individual gets equal opportunities and respect.”
The minister called upon young scholars to draw direct inspiration from these texts to build a society free from exploitation. “Students and scholars should study Guru Ji Maharaj’s Bani deeply and understand its contemporary relevance,” he asserted.
Prominent scholars, spiritual leaders, and state officials, including Guru Nanak Dev University’s Professor Manjinder Singh and Sant Kewal Singh Ji, attended the event. The seminar concluded with a formal vote of thanks from university leadership, commending the collaborative effort to explore historical reform movements.
