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Despite opposition & death threats, Dhadrianwale a popular preacher

Not new to controversies, religious preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale has his religious headquarters spread on 33 acres at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar on the Patiala-Sangrur highway. He has always faced some opposition, though many politicians across party lines visit him regularly...
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The headquarters of Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale (inset) is spread over 33 acres at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar on the Patiala-Sangrur highway. File
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Not new to controversies, religious preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale has his religious headquarters spread on 33 acres at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar on the Patiala-Sangrur highway. He has always faced some opposition, though many politicians across party lines visit him regularly to seek his blessings.

Dhadrianwale has faced opposition from some Sikh activists and outfits for allegedly distorting Sikh history and misinterpreting Sikh principles with his “self-made” rationality. They allege he rejects ago-old Sikh traditions and rituals such as “amrit wela” and “naam japna”.

However, Dhadrianwala has always said that Gurbani teaches everyone to think rationally and that reason comes first and faith is second. He always maintains that Guru Granth Sahib “teaches us to use logic at every step” and every Sikh should have a scientific outlook while practising religion.

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In May 2016, Dhadrianwale had a miraculous escape when he was attacked by unidentified persons near Barewal village in Ludhiana. Bhupinder Singh Khasi Kalan, who was travelling with him in a car, was shot dead. Dhadrianwale’s cavalcade was on its way to Isewal village when it was attacked. Over 10 persons had erected a tent for distributing sweet water along the canal road when around 50 shots were fired.

A Gurmat Pracharak (preacher), he is associated with the Nirvair Khalsa Jatha and is known for his vociferous criticism of Sirsa dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. In 2015, Dhadriawale and many other Sikh leaders opposed the pardoning of Ram Rahim in a blasphemy case. He later alleged that he had received death threats.

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With lakhs of followers in over 12 countries, Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale has always faced threat to life.

Following the attack in 2016, the police provided security cover to the religious preacher and also at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar. A cavalcade accompanies Dhadrianwale during his visits in Punjab and outside the state.

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