Citing Ravidas Jayanti, Dalits want change in date of polling

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 9

Members of the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee and the Pendu Mazdoor Union Punjab on Sunday condemned the declaration of Assembly poll in the state before the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas on February 16 this year.

While the Doaba region has a 44 per cent Dalit vote share, key election decisions are made with the Dalit populace on mind in the state. However, the members said the announcement of the polling date just two days before Guru Ravidas Jayanti would upset their preparations for the day.

Tarsem Peter, state president of the Pendu Mazdoor Union, and press secretary Kashmir Singh Ghughshore said on the day of voting on February 14, a large number of people would head to Varanasi for the jayanti.

Notably, lakhs of Dalits head to the Sri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan at Seer Goverdhanpur/Begampura in Varanasi every year on the day of the jayanti. Special trains have also been started by the government for pilgrimage and lakhs of Dalits from the region would travel to Varanasi to pay obeisance.

Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee leaders Mukesh Malaud and Bikker Singh said many people were in transit or are making preparations for the jayanti these days. But with the poll date announced two days before the jayanti, their plans will be affected.

The unions alleged that fixing the voting date near the saint’s birthday was a disregard to the community. They demanded voting should held at a later date.