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Jalandhar: Punjab politics witnessed an unprecedented development last week, when the chief of Dera Radha Soami Satsang Beas, headquartered in Amritsar, participated in an ‘anti-drugs awareness walk’ in Ferozepur with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal president. One of the biggest deras – a kind of spiritual organisation that is popular in Punjab – it had, until now, maintained distance from the media and avoided direct involvement in politics.

Unlike some other deras in Punjab, which have a political wing or are known for supporting parties, Dera Beas has maintained a neutral stand in politics. However, when Gurinder Singh Dhillon, the head of the dera, broke with tradition to walk with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, BJP Punjab working president Ashwani Sharma and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, it raised a political storm.

The news spread like wildfire, with many equating it with changing political equations between the Dera Beas and the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. It was learnt that after the walk, Dhillon, Sharma and the governor held a 20-minute closed-door meeting. It is unclear whether Badal was present at the meeting.

The public appearance of Badal and Sharma together was seen as a step towards re-stitching a SAD-BJP alliance. The parties went their separate ways in 2020 following the passage of the three controversial farm laws.

Notably, the approach of the Dera Beas head changed significantly since Dhillon appointed a successor in 2024. He started attending high-profile weddings, celebrations and condolence meetings, and reaching out to key political and religious figures, bringing him into the media glare.

Sources at Dera Beas told The Wire that the spiritual head’s sudden shift towards politics could be the fallout of ‘arm twisting’, as Dhillon, and his nephews Malwinder Singh and Shivinder Singh – the promoters of Fortis Healthcare – are involved in a legal battle over alleged financial irregularities.

Governor Kataria, who led the rally, wrote on X: “Aimed at building a drug-free and vibrant Punjab, I led a rally against drugs in Ferozepur. The participation of Dera Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon, educationists, social organisations and students sent the message that saving youths from drugs was everybody’s united responsibility.”

Reacting to the initiative, Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring told the media: “It seems that Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria was leading the ‘Samjhauta Express’ and playing the main role in bringing the SAD and the BJP together.”

Also read: Reckless Media Coverage Has Ignored Real Problems of Drug Abuse in Punjab

Warring wrote: “I respect the Governor but he should talk to Delhi first. AAP is responsible for drugs in Punjab, as drugs are increasing day by day. But is the central government not responsible for drugs in Punjab? Entire Punjab is on the border. And the BSF’s area of jurisdiction has increased up to 50 kilometres, but every day drugs are coming into Punjab from the border through drones. Despite all this, the Governor is holding a yatra. He should talk to the PM and the Home Minister that our border needs to be strengthened.”

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Earlier, on February 4, when Dhillon met........

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