7 months on, singer Hans back at Dera Lal Badshah

Almost seven months since a dispute had risen between former BJP MP and Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans and functionaries of Dera Lal Badshah at Nakodar, both sides are learnt to have finally called it a truce. Hans is back in the dera as the gaddi nasheen and shall be performing the tradition to offer 'chaddar' during the death anniversary of the saint to be observed at the dera on March 26-27.

Dispute had surfaced in July last year during the Urs mela when Hans had gone to attend the traditional flag ceremony, but some committee members, led by president Dimmy Gill and the locals, had not allowed him to preside over. The Padma Shri singer reportedly returned without even performing at the mela. After this, the administration had even appointed a receiver to handle golak and offerings.

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Dispute surfaced in July last year

Dispute had surfaced in July last year during the Urs mela when Hans had gone to attend the traditional flag ceremony, but some committee members, led by president Dimmy Gill and the locals, had not allowed him to preside over. The singer reportedly returned without even performing at the mela. After this, the administration had even appointed a receiver to handle golak and offerings.

However, ahead of the death anniversary programme, the district administration is learnt to have prevailed upon the committee members. After this, Gill said, "Hans is our gaddi nasheen. He shall perform all ceremonies at the barsi event for two days."

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However, ahead of the death anniversary programme, the district administration is learnt to have prevailed upon the committee members. After this, Gill said, "Hans is our gaddi nasheen. He shall perform all ceremonies at the barsi event for two days."

Asked about the same, Hans said, "Things were made up out of some non-issue. I am always at the service of the dera. They came to me and requested me to be back. I cannot say no to dera. So, I shall be offering the 'chaddar' on the occasion."

On whether he will perform on the occasion, Hans said, "I do not perform on all occasions. Since I am the host, I shall be there to enjoy performances of other singers and supervise all arrangements. Some of the best qawwali singers have been called in for two days. They shall perform as thousands of devotees are expected to turn up from across the region."

Hans claimed that he had told the administration to continue with the system of having tehsildar as the receiver. "This will ensure transparency in financial matters", he added.

Dera Lal Badshah is named after Sufi saint Almast Bapu Lal Badshah. The dera, which promotes Sufi singing, came up during the lifetime of the saint. Lal Badshah passed away in March 2000. Almost a year later, Hans Raj Hans took over as the head sewadar and is credited with developing it. He had quit the dera in 2014 too but had rejoined.