Chandigarh, Jan 31 (NationPress) In a calculated effort to bolster the Dalit vote bank of 32 percent in Punjab ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections early next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan during the celebration of Ravidass Jayanti. This influential sect within the Ravidassia community holds significant sway in the Doaba region of Punjab, which includes the districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, and Kapurthala.

On Sunday, PM Modi will dedicate approximately 45 minutes to his visit at the dera located on the outskirts of Jalandhar, where he will meet Sant Niranjan Das, the venerated leader of the Ravidassia community, who received the Padma Shri award on Republic Day.

According to the Prime Minister's itinerary, he is expected to arrive at Adampur airport around 3:30 PM and subsequently travel to the sect via helicopter.

Modi last visited the Adampur air base on May 13, 2025, where he engaged with courageous air warriors and soldiers shortly after India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement.

Adampur has been a target of attacks by Pakistan, particularly during the night of May 9 and 10, following India's 'Operation Sindoor'.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will officially rename Adampur’s civil airport in honor of Guru Ravidass Maharaj, reflecting the sentiments of the community, which is predominantly concentrated in the Doaba region, situated between the Beas and Satluj rivers.

The Doaba area comprises 23 of the 117 Assembly seats, with Dera Sachkhand Ballan impacting at least 19 of these.

Additionally, PM Modi will conduct a virtual inauguration of the new terminal at the Halwara airport in Ludhiana.

This visit coincides with the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidass, and the renaming of the Adampur airport pays tribute to the revered saint and social reformer, whose teachings of equality, compassion, and human dignity continue to resonate within India's societal framework.

The inauguration of the terminal at Halwara aims to enhance aviation infrastructure in Punjab, establishing a new gateway for the state, servicing Ludhiana and its surrounding industrial and agricultural sectors.

Located in Ludhiana district, Halwara also hosts a crucial Indian Air Force station. Previously, the Ludhiana airport had a small runway suitable for smaller aircraft.

To improve connectivity and accommodate larger aircraft, a new civil enclave has been constructed at Halwara, featuring a longer runway capable of supporting A320-type aircraft, according to an official statement.

Who is Sant Niranjan Das? The spiritual leader has dedicated his life to disseminating the teachings of Sant Guru Ravidass Maharaj both in India and internationally while promoting social harmony, service, and humanity.

Recently, former Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Vijay Sampla, alongside Sant Niranjan Das, met with PM Modi at his official residence in New Delhi, advocating for the renaming of the Adampur airport in honor of Guru Ravidass Maharaj.

During that meeting, Sampla expressed that PM Modi received the delegation with immense respect and reverence. The delegation proposed to celebrate the 650th Prakash Purab in 2027 on a national scale, promoting the teachings and “bani” of Guru Ravidass throughout the country.

They also requested 50 acres of land in Varanasi for organizing significant celebrations and related religious activities.

The delegation presented the Prime Minister with a beautifully framed portrait of Guru Ravidass Maharaj.

In anticipation of the PM's visit, the AAP government in Punjab announced plans to establish the Sri Guru Ravidass Bani Adhayyan Centre near Dera Sachkhand Ballan, acquiring three pieces of land valued at Rs 10.50 crore.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that this initiative is “one of its kind in the country,” with the government securing over nine acres for the Adhayyan Centre.

“The Punjab government is fully committed to ensuring that the teachings and ideology of Sri Guru Ravidass reach every corner of the globe,” Cheema remarked.

This governmental decision is perceived as an effort to win over the Ravidassia community as the 2027 Assembly elections approach.

Dera Ballan, situated in Ballan village around eight kilometers from Jalandhar city, was established in the early twentieth century by Sant Pipal Das.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)