SATNAMIS - MODERN
HISTORY
News: Satnamis protest desecration;
attack SP office, torch vehicles in Chhattisgarh
What's in the news?
●
A huge mob from the Satnami community torched
dozens of vehicles, pelted police personnel with stones and set afire the
Superintendent of Police office building in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar
district.
●
The protesters were not satisfied with the police’s
handling of a case (and demanding a CBI probe) involving the desecration of a
‘Jaitkhamb’, a structure of sacred importance to the Satnamis.
Satnamis:
●
They are predominantly
Scheduled Caste communities residing in Chhattisgarh and adjacent areas of
Madhya Pradesh.
●
They trace their roots in the teachings of Guru
Ghasidas, who advocated the worship of a formless absolute, rejecting idolatry
and caste hierarchies.
Backdrop:
●
Satnamis have their origin in Narnaul, Haryana, in the 17th century under the influence of Kabir's teachings.
●
A resurgence in the 18th century, particularly in
present-day Chhattisgarh, under the leadership of Guru Ghasidas.
Satnampanth:
●
Bir Bhan, believed to have been influenced by Saint Ravidas, established the sect in
Narnaul district.
●
Jagjivan Das, the second most significant figure in the sect,
gained recognition, even met Emperor Akbar
during his reign.
Satnami Revolt 1672:
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The revolt occurred during Aurangzeb's reign, fueled by resentment against his Islamic
policies.
○
A Mughal soldier's killing of a Satnami ignited
widespread revolt, challenging Mughal authority.
●
Despite lacking resources, the Satnamis fiercely
resisted Mughal forces, symbolizing defiance against religious persecution.
Religious Philosophy:
●
Guru Ghasidas emphasized monotheistic worship, dietary restrictions, and social equality
among followers.
Religious Doctrine:
●
Ghasidas' teachings, preserved in the Nirvan Gyan scripture, continue to
shape the beliefs of the Satnami community.
Socio-political
Influence:
● Satnamis wield significant political clout, particularly in Chhattisgarh, shaping electoral outcomes.