Punjab deras: A safe refuge for many

Indian Express

04-05-2025

In The Deras: Culture, Diversity and Politics, Santosh K Singh presents years of ethnographic research into one of Punjab's most distinctive, yet misunderstood, socio-religious phenomena: the Deras.
Singh tells The Indian Express explains what drew him to the subject, what sets these spaces apart from others, and how they have come to play a vital role in the socio-political fabric of Punjab.
What inspired you to explore the Deras of Punjab as your area of research?
The book, Singh says, wasn't planned. During an earlier project on agrarian change in Punjab, he noticed many labourers on a farm in Patiala wearing steel lockets—symbols of affiliation with a particular Dera. Most of these workers were from poor, subaltern backgrounds. 'The idea germinated there, in a purely serendipitous moment,' he says. What began as casual observation grew into a deeper engagement. Singh found the world of Deras to be complex, multilayered and exciting, especially as someone interested in the intersection of culture and religion in its lived context.
What sets Punjab's Deras apart from other religious spaces in India?
According to Singh, Punjab's Deras follow the quintessential South Asian tradition of philosophical dissent—where breakaways from dominant religions form new spiritual paths. 'Broad brushing that happened around Deras undermined their rich history,' he says. While certain controversial Deras often attract media attention, Singh argues that these few should not define the whole spectrum. Importantly, while many Deras have a large Dalit following, they cannot be simplistically labelled as Dalit institutions. 'There are both Dalit and non-Dalit Deras if we were to invoke Dalit as a political category,' he adds.
Why do Deras draw such large followings?
Singh points to historical and sociological factors. Deras like Dera Sacha Khand Ballan have become epicentres of Dalit Ravidassia identity. Despite Sikhism's egalitarian ideals, caste has found its way into Punjab's religious and social life. Many Dalits, hoping for equality in a caste-neutral space, found themselves alienated and turned to Deras instead. These spiritual spaces offered not only solace but a renewed sense of identity and community rooted in equality.
What role do Deras play in Punjab's political landscape?
With Scheduled Castes forming 32% of Punjab's population—the highest in India—Deras are seen as significant vote banks. 'Political parties understandably warm up to them,' Singh says. However, despite assumptions about their electoral sway, there is no conclusive research linking Deras directly to election outcomes. 'These Dalit Deras are themselves fragmented along various lines,' he explains. Nevertheless, their perceived influence has led to the creation of political capital around them.
Has the rise of Christianity affected the reach of Deras, especially among the poor and lower castes?
This is an emerging trend, Singh notes, but it wasn't the focus of his research. Anecdotally, he believes many new Christian converts in Punjab are recent migrants from states like Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. Whether this has affected Dera followings significantly is not yet clear.
Were there moments during your research that changed your perspective?
One unexpected insight was the networked nature of the Deras. Singh realised that most academic work on Punjab Deras remains Punjab-centric, failing to map their national and international links. The Ravidassia Deras, for example, have strong connections to Varanasi—Guru Ravidas's birthplace. Singh also discovered significant overseas involvement: NRIs from Dalit backgrounds in countries like Italy, Germany, Canada and the US now fund many of these institutions. Their donations, he says, are a way of honouring their cultural and spiritual roots.
How long did your research take, and what were some of the challenges?
Singh describes the research process as 'many years of wandering.' The fluid and constantly evolving nature of the terrain meant he never felt a sense of finality. One key challenge was navigating the complexity of Dera networks and gaining the trust of their followers. He also emphasises the importance of understanding Deras in a broader framework. 'Punjab Deras must not be understood as standalone entities,' he says, pointing to the Sachkhand Ballan Dera's pilgrimage centre in Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi, built at what is believed to be the birthplace of 15th-century Bhakti poet-saint Guru Ravidas.
What do you hope readers take away from the book?
'I hope the book communicates the multilayered, diverse setting of the Deras,' Singh says. His intent is to move past monolithic representations and highlight the local and global interconnections that sustain these spaces. While the book invites academic engagement, Singh stresses that it is also written for the everyday reader, someone curious about the evolving intersections of caste, faith and community in contemporary India.