Gautam Dheer, Chandigarh, Nov 19, 2014, DHNS:

Other side: Haryana, Punjab have history of clashes involving sects

The mayhem in Hisar has finally come to an end, but the unpalatable episode points to a more damning trend, that of godmen and politicians thriving on each other in Haryana and Punjab.

Both states have a history of bloody clashes involving prominent sects and communities, but the genesis of the problem lies not in the rise of the culture of the Deras, but in sects assuming increasing political relevance, much to the delight of politicians.

An estimated 9,000 big and small Deras and as many godmen exist in Haryana and Punjab. The prominent ones with massive followings are around a couple of dozens, like the Dera Sacha Sauda in Haryanas Sirsa, which has over the years worked as catalyst for change for good espousing an egalitarian ideology.

The growing influence of Deras poses a formidable challenge to mainstream cults and religions like Sikhism, which detest and disapproves the culture of the Deras.

But the fact remains that many Deras have been instrumental in providing a robust identity to Dalits and other social classes that feel alienated by mainstream religions and cults.

Chief spokesperson of Dera Sacha Sauda and consultant ophthalmologist Dr Aditya Insan told Deccan Herald: The generic mindset of clubbing all Deras together is a misguided notion. True saints have united believers of faith through meditation and self-realisation for spiritual consciousness. They criticise evil and not individuals.

The word from such Deras holds sway over the masses, the main reason behind politicians seeking their support and blessings, be it the 2014 Lok Sabha elections or the recently concluded Assembly elections in Haryana.

In denial, ignorantly or otherwise, it is this heady mix that leaves both the Deras and politicians with more muscle to flaunt.

Link:

Deras, a mix of politics and spirituality