In a bid to bring the Banjaras firmly into the Hindu fold, an organisation supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is hosting a five-day gathering of the nomadic community in Maharashtra this week. However, the community seems to have divided opinions on its own religious heritage and identity, with some members skeptical about the political motivations of the event’s organisers.
The Dharam Jagran Manch, an RSS-linked outfit, along with other Hindu religious and social organisations, kick-started a six-day-long congregation of Banjaras at Godri village in Jalgaon district on January 25. The event, called the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Gaur Banjara and Labhana Naikada Kumbh, aims to bring the community — who are traditionally nomadic pastoralists and traders — into the Sanatan Dharma fold. They are currently classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories in different States.
However, the other section that supports the Kumbh spoke in favour of aligning with Hinduism. Another Banjara religious leader, who is also named Mohan Singh Chavhan, told the audience at the Kumbh about a resolution that was passed by the community’s religious leaders. All Banjara colonies would now have temples of Balaji, Jagdamba, and Krishna, he said. Every Banjara family would participate in morning and evening aarti (prayers) in temples, and photos of Sevalal and Ramrao Bapu (religious leaders from the community) and Guru Nanak Dev would be placed in every house.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com . Read the full story here