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Sant Niranjan Das Honored with Padma Shri, BJP Expresses Gratitude to PM Modi

Former Union minister Vijay Sampla has thanked the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring the Padma Shri on Sant Niranjan Das, the head of Dera Ballan. Sampla stated the honor recognizes the saint's lifelong work in spreading Guru Ravidas's teachings and promoting social harmony. This follows a recent meeting where Sampla and Das urged PM Modi to rename an airport after Guru Ravidas and discussed grand celebrations for the saint's upcoming Prakash Purab. The delegation also formally invited the Prime Minister to attend the February celebrations in Varanasi.

Key Points: Padma Shri for Sant Niranjan Das: BJP Thanks PM Modi

  • Padma Shri for Ravidassia saint
  • BJP's Vijay Sampla expresses gratitude
  • Recognition for social harmony teachings
  • Delegation met PM Modi previously
  • Proposal for Guru Ravidas Prakash Purab
2 min read

Punjab BJP thanks PM Modi for conferring Padma Shri on Sant Niranjan Das

Punjab BJP's Vijay Sampla thanks PM Modi for conferring Padma Shri on Sant Niranjan Das, head of Dera Ballan and revered Ravidassia saint.

"Honouring him with the Padma Shri is a matter of pride not only for the Ravidassia community but for the entire nation - Vijay Sampla"

Chandigarh, Jan 25

Former Union minister and former Punjab BJP President Vijay Sampla on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Central government for conferring the Padma Shri on Sant Niranjan Das, the revered saint of the Ravidassia community and head of Dera Ballan.

Sampla said that Sant Niranjan Das has devoted his entire life to spreading the teachings of Sant Guru Ravidas Maharaj across India and abroad, while also strengthening the values of social harmony, service, and humanity. "Honouring him with the Padma Shri is a matter of pride not only for the Ravidassia community but for the entire nation," Sampla said in a statement.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular for this historic decision, he said, "This honour is a strong testament to the national recognition of the invaluable contributions made by saints and great spiritual leaders to society".

Last month, ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Sampla, along with Sant Niranjan Das, met PM Modi at his official residence in New Delhi and urged that the Adampur Airport in Jalandhar be renamed after Guru Ravidas Maharaj in honour of the sentiments of the community.

At that time, Sampla had said that PM Modi received the delegation with great respect and devotion. He had said an invitation was formally extended to the Prime Minister to attend the 649th Prakash Purab of Guru Ravidas, scheduled to be celebrated in February in Varanasi.

The delegation had submitted a proposal to celebrate the 650th Prakash Purab in 2027 at the national level for a full year, promoting the teachings and "bani" of Guru Ravidas across the country. A request was also made for 50 acres of land in Varanasi, dedicated to organising the grand celebrations and related religious activities.

The delegation had honoured the Prime Minister with a beautifully framed portrait of Guru Ravidas Maharaj.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Dera Ballan, the work they do for education and community service is remarkable. Honouring such spiritual leaders who promote unity is always a positive step.
A
Arjun K
Good move by the government. It's important to recognise the saints who are actually working on the ground for social upliftment, not just those with political connections. Hope the requests for the Prakash Purab celebrations in Varanasi are also considered seriously.
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Priya S
While the honour is deserved, one must be cautious. Awards should not be seen through a political lens. The timing, just before elections in Punjab, is a bit obvious, no? The work of saints is beyond politics.
V
Vikram M
Jai Guru Ravidas! 🙌 This honour brings great pride to the community. Renaming Adampur Airport would be a fitting tribute to a great spiritual master whose teachings of equality are needed now more than ever.
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Karthik V
Respect to Sant Niranjan Das. His dera does phenomenal seva. However, I hope the government's focus remains on substantive development for the community—better education, jobs, and infrastructure—and not just symbolic gestures.

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