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Numerous events are organized across the state to remember the eminent Sikh leader and founder of Ramgarhia misl Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on his 300th birth anniversary.
In Ludhiana, six organizations representing the Ramgarhia community held a function at Guru Nanak Bhawan which was attended by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Union Minister Jajendra Shekhawat and AAP leader HS Hanspal among others. They also celebrated the 107th birthday of former President Gianni Zail Singh, who was instrumental in getting the Ramgarhia community OBC status. The former president shared his birthday with the Sikh leader and gave the community its name – Ramgarhia. Inderjit Singh Babbu, grandson of Giani Zail Singh, was also one of the organizers of the ceremony.
This is the first time that the BJP leadership has attended a Ramgariya community function on its own. Earlier, the party participated in community functions when it was allied with Akali Dal. After years of breaking its alliance with SAD over protests over controversial farm laws, the BJP is now trying several outreach programmes.
In both rural and urban areas to strengthen its base.
Rajneesh Deman, BJP Ludhiana unit chief who accompanied Shekhawat, said he is a member of the Ramgarhiya community and the party actively supports them. “When the Akali Dal was in the alliance, it used to lead such events but now we reach out to the masses of all communities. We are the new BJP and in the recent past, we also actively participated in the Fatah rally organized by Akal Takht Jathdar. Our OBC wing will continue to support minorities.” .
Addressing the Ramgariya community, Purohit said, “Jasa Singh Ramgarya paved the way for a brighter future for the Hindu and Sikh communities. He joined the union of Sikhs led by the legendary Banda Singh Bahadur and fought against the Mughal forces in the 1730s. After the death of Banda Singh, the Sikhs split into different castes They lacked a unified leadership.Jassa Singh subsequently emerged as a charismatic leader who commanded the respect of all Sikh factions.
He led the Sikh union until his death in 1803. Purohit is also remembered for Zayal Singh and his contribution to the Ramgarhia community.
Shekhawat said, “Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhya was an unyielding warrior and his contribution to the history of Punjab will be unforgettable.
Jaspal Singh Khiva, President of the All India Backward Class Federation, said, “We remember the contribution of former President Giani Zail Singh, who was instrumental in obtaining the status of the Ramgarhia OBC community.”
Khiva added, “We have demanded caste-based census, as of now, Ramgarhias account for 5.29% of total population in Punjab, of which 11-12 lakh are voters. We are an important vote bank and political parties should not ignore us. We have also demanded proper maintenance of all Jassa forts Singh Ramgarhia, a number of them have been encroached. The ones in Singhpur village Barnala were also encroached earlier but gradually the community managed to vacate it. We also want to vacate another fort at Sri Hargobindpur. One of the Ramgarhia bunga is built by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia within Harmander Sahib complex near langar hall, we want the entry to be made from Gallara Harmander Sahib so that maximum number of people can visit it… So far it is being managed by SGPC but we want people from Ramgarhia community to be entrusted with its maintenance.”
In other functions, Akali Dal organized an event in Amritsar and the state government congratulated the Sikh warrior at an event in Singpur Barnala village in Hoshiarpur district, which was attended by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The village of Singpur Barnala also has a fort built by the Sikh chief and is now called Jasa Singh Monument.
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