"Adi Dharm" Movement Gains Momentum: Sant Satwinder Heera Thanks Guru Ravidas Sadhu Sampraday Societies

Hoshiarpur | Daljeet Ajnoha/July 13

Sant Satwinder Heera, National President of the All India Adi Dharm Mission (Regd.), India, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the executive members of the Guru Ravidas Sadhu Sampraday Societies (Regd.), Punjab, revered saints from various deras, and eminent intellectuals of the community for their unwavering support in strengthening the Adi Dharm movement.

He said the Mission would always remain indebted to those who upheld the identity established by the revered Adi Dharm Gurus and reformers by raising the slogan of "Adi Dharm" and encouraging devotees to identify their religion as Adi Dharm during the Census.

Recalling the legacy of the movement, Sant Satvinder Heera appealed to the entire saint community to rise above differences and unite on the platform of Begampura to carry forward the revolutionary message of equality, brotherhood, and social justice preached by Guru Ravidas. He urged everyone to work collectively towards realizing the vision of an egalitarian society.

Sant Heera further stated that great social reformers such as Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and Kanshi Ram dedicated their lives to securing constitutional rights and social justice for the marginalized sections of society. Their relentless struggle ensured dignity, equality, and recognition for oppressed communities.

He pointed out that as a result of these efforts, Adi Dharm was officially recognized as a separate religious identity during the 1931 Census, when lakhs of people recorded their religion as Adi Dharm. However, he alleged that subsequent government policies led to the removal of the Adi Dharm category from later censuses.

Calling for renewed efforts, Sant Satwinder Heera emphasized the need for a united movement involving religious leaders, social organizations, and educated intellectuals to restore the Adi Dharm category and preserve the community's distinct identity. He said the leadership of this movement should be taken up by the respected saint community of Punjab.