Ravidassia Community Presses for Separate Religion Category in Census – Explained

Thousands of members of the Ravidassia community gathered in Punjab's Phagwara on Sunday for a religious programme, renewing a longstanding demand for a separate 'Ravidassia religion' category in the Census. The event, organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidassia Dharam Sangathan, was attended by Sant Niranjan Das, head of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan — the community's largest religious institution.

The gathering resulted in a letter addressed to the President, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, reiterating the demand that has been a point of contention since 2010, when the community declared itself as practising a faith distinct from both Hinduism and Sikhism.

The Ravidassia community traces its spiritual lineage to Guru Ravidas, a 15th-century saint and poet who worked as a cobbler and preached equality, devotion, and social justice. While Sikhism also revered Guru Ravidas (his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib), the Ravidassia community believes their faith is separate. The demand for a separate religion category gained prominence after a 2009 attack on the Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Vienna, Austria, which deepened feelings of distinct identity.

In 2010, the community adopted a separate holy book, 'Amritbani Guru Ravidas', and a distinct religious flag, signalling their desire for independent religious status. Since then, they have been petitioning the government for recognition.

The demand holds political significance as Punjab is set to go to the polls next year. Both the ruling Congress and the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal have courted the community, which is estimated to constitute around 10-12% of the state's population. The community's support could be crucial in several constituencies.

However, the demand for a separate religion category has been met with scepticism from Sikh religious bodies, who view the Ravidassias as part of the Sikh panth. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has opposed the move, arguing it could lead to further fragmentation.

India's Census recognises several religions, including six major ones: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Other minority religions like Zoroastrianism and Judaism are also listed. To add a new religion, the Union government must approve it based on recommendations from the Registrar General of India. No such request has been granted in recent decades.

The Ravidassia community remains determined. Sunday's gathering was a show of strength, with participants waving green flags bearing Guru Ravidas's symbol and chanting slogans. Sant Niranjan Das urged the government to respect their distinct identity, saying, 'We are not Hindus, we are not Sikhs; we are Ravidassais, and we want our religion to be recognised in the Census.'

The issue reopens a debate about religious identity and representation in a diverse country like India. As the community continues its peaceful advocacy, the government's response remains awaited, especially with elections approaching.