Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: On the occasion of the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, BR Kundal, president of the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy (BDSA), said that Guru Ravidass’ philosophy rejected inherited social disabilities imposed on marginalized communities and upheld the intrinsic worth of every human being.
Paying rich tribute to the revered saint-poet and social reformer, Kundal recalled Ravidass Ji as a transformative thinker whose teachings continue to guide struggles for equality, human dignity and social justice.
Addressing the gathering, Kundal highlighted the enduring relevance of Guru Ravidass’ vision of Begumpura-the “city without sorrow”-describing it as a powerful symbol of an egalitarian social order free from discrimination, fear and deprivation. He said Begumpura represents a society where justice, dignity and equal opportunity prevail for all, irrespective of caste or social background.
Kundal noted that Guru Ravidass, a prominent figure of the Bhakti movement, mounted a radical critique of caste hierarchy, superstition and ritual orthodoxy. Through his teachings and poetry, Ravidass directly challenged social structures that legitimized inequality through religious dogma, taboos and notions of purity and pollution. He emphasized that Ravidass’ thought placed ethical conduct and inner devotion (bhakti) above hollow ritualism.
Linking Guru Ravidas’s egalitarian vision with modern democratic ideals, Kundal called for actively “seeking Begumpura” in contemporary society. He observed that Ravidas’s philosophy finds strong institutional expression in Dr BR Ambedkar’s constitutional principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Kundal further stressed that realizing Begumpura in today’s India demands the eradication of both mental and structural inequalities through education, critical thinking and active participation in democratic processes. He particularly urged the youth to draw inspiration from the shared legacy of Guru Ravidass and Dr Ambedkar to build an inclusive, just and humane society.
On the occasion, other members of BDSA-Jammu and Kashmir also shared their reflections on the teachings and contemporary relevance of Guru Ravidass Ji.
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